Buoyed by Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi success in connecting with farmers and labourers in Uttar Pradesh, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is planning a mammoth farmers’ rally in north Karnataka region which has witnessed a series of farmers protests due to massive land acquisition by the BJP government.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a highly placed source in the KPCC said, “We have already sought a suitable date from Mr Gandhi for the rally. Though he is busy with the UP elections and we are busy with the Udupi- Chikmagalur Lok Sabha by-elections, KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar will be leading a party leaders’ delegation once Mr Gandhi has completed his programmes in UP to seek his appointment.” According to the source, the KPCC has been planning to invite him to the state for a while after he participated in the farmers’ agitation at Bhatta Parsaul.

With the north-Karnataka region witnessing farmers agitations against the Posco and Bellary Airport projects, Congres leaders here feel they have a good chance of encashing on these issues. “Our aim will be to send a strong message to farmers that the ruling party is on a massive land acquisition spree to help builders," the source explained.

When contacted KPCC farmer's wing chairman, Siddu Nyamagoda without elaborating much confirmed that the party is gearing up to organize a mammoth rally in Bijapur district sometime in April-May which would coincide with the launch of the second unit of Jamakhandi Sugar Factory in Indi as it's first unit was inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2001