‘Political tourism’: Union Minister Giriraj Singh cancels Rahul Gandhi's visit to Lakhimpur Kheri

   Union Minister Giriraj Singh asked why Rahul Gandhi did not visit a relative of a local journalist who was killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

      Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi visited relatives of deceased farmers on October 6.

Eight people were killed in violence in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3.

Ashish Mishra arrested by SIT.

New Delhi: Snubbing Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh called for a visit by Member of Parliament Lakhimpur Kheri to meet the family of farmers killed in violence, for example 'political tourism'.

     

 

     Opposition groups called on the ruling BJP to arrest the suspects in the Uttar Pradesh region on October 3, killing eight people.

       Giriraj Singh, quoted by ANI, asked, "Rahul Gandhi's visit to Lakhimpur Kheri is just an example of political tourism. There is no real empathy and sympathy involved. The family of the journalist who was killed in the incident? Why didn't he visit Kashmir to reunite with the families of the victims? "

       Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met with members of the family of farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence at the end of October 6. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Congress Secretary-General Priyanka Gandhi said all the families wanted justice.

"All these families say the same thing that they do not care about compensation but want justice," he said.  

      Vadra also demanded that Home Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra resign and arrest his son Ashish Mishra, who is a defendant in the violence.

      In the violence that erupted during the farmers' protests in Uttar Pradesh, eight people lost their lives, including four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Among the other four, two of the dead were in the vehicles, apparently part of a series of BJP staff members who came to welcome Uttar Pradesh K CM Deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, one of whom was a local journalist and the other a driver. Farmer leaders say Ashish Mishra arrived with three vehicles at a time when farmers were dispersing during their protest in Helipad and dropping farmers off in his SUV.

       Meanwhile, Ashish Mishra, the son of Home Affairs Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, who was arrested on Saturday (October 9) night in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, is currently being held in custody.

The local court will hear the case on Monday (October 11) about whether to send Ashish Mishra into custody, his lawyer Avdesh Kumar Singh said.