PM Modi chooses Midnapore to address farmers' concern

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a farmers' rally on July 16 at Midnapore town. It comes after the centre raised the crop support prices. In the last week, the union cabinet approved a steep hike in the MSP for Kharif crops. Therefore, paddy prices have increased by around 13 per cent. It also increased the price of pulses by 3.7 per cent to 25 per cent.

As per the state unit, the PMO chose North Bengal for this rally earlier, but due to heavy rain, it has been rescheduled to the southern district of the state.

BJP sources said Midnapore was chosen as a venue in the wake of the party's advances in the Panchayat polls in

tribal-dominated belts that include West Midnapore and adjoining districts. Even, the venue College Collegiate ground has a strong connection to the Bengali revolutionary Khudiram Bose, the state wing asserted.

However, the party has confirmed that there will be no political programme. The decision by the government is part of the government's agenda of doubling farmers' income by 2022 to address the concern PM is going to hold the rally, a party source mentioned.

Meanwhile, the saffron party's senior leadership of the state is going to hold a meeting on Monday in coordination with the district unit. They have sought permission for bigger accommodation as a huge crowd is expected.

PM Modi's visit comes just over a fortnight after the lieutenant Amit Shah's visit to the state, setting a target to the party leaders of winning at least 22 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the upcoming general elections in 2019.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address another farmers' rally on July 11 in Malout, Muktsar district of Punjab.