Bhopal: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Madhya Pradesh next week, according to sources in the state Congress office. Although the date and itinerary for the visit have not been finalized, Gandhi has agreed to meet tribal families who are being displaced and whose land is being acquired for the Ken-Betwa River Linking project.
Congress Leader to Raise Issue Nationally
A senior state Congress functionary stated, "The Lok Sabha LOP wants to come and meet the tribal families being evacuated, so he can raise their issue nationally." State Congress president Jitu Patwari, speaking to reporters, said that Rahul Gandhi instructed him to go to the Bundelkhand areas and meet the tribal farmers whose land is being acquired.
Patwari's Tour of Affected Areas
Patwari said, "I have been touring the Ken-Betwa project-affected areas for the past few days, where tribal families have been struggling for years." He detailed his engagements: "On May 11, I met with the displaced families in Panna and discussed the problems of the farmers and agitators imprisoned in the Panna jail. On May 12, the administration in Chhatarpur attempted to prevent me from meeting the affected families, but under pressure from the Congress party, the administration relented, and the meeting with the affected people became possible."
In Chhatarpur, Patwari and a large gathering of Congress workers went to meet tribal farmers in the Daudhan dam area. The forest department claimed that Patwari and his supporters entered the core area of the Panna Tiger Reserve and broke barricades. A case has been registered against Patwari and Congress workers under sections 27 and 30 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Congress Stands with Affected Families
Patwari asserted that Rahul Gandhi sent him to the affected tribal families. "The Congress party stands firmly with them in this struggle. Thousands of tribal families are being displaced in the name of the Ken-Betwa Project, but they have not been given proper compensation. They have not received fair compensation for their homes, land, or trees," he said.
He alleged that the compensation amount agreed upon many years ago has become completely worthless today. "Families whose members were minors at the time the compensation amount was fixed were excluded from the right to rehabilitation and compensation. These families are now forced to live in extreme poverty and insecurity," Patwari added. He further alleged that the administration, police, and forest department are completely working in favor of the company constructing the project.
Allegations of Corruption
Patwari claimed that the same company awarded the contract for the project is also building a massive BJP party office. "This entire matter is linked to commission, corruption, and political patronage," he argued. He said that if the BJP wishes, he is ready to debate the issue with documents on any platform.
