Congress not likely to join Hazare's agitation against Land Acquisition

New Delhi: Congress is not likely to join the agitation by social activist Anna Hazare here on February 23 against the Land Acquisition ordinance, a senior leader indicated on Wednesday. The leader, who declined to be identified, said that the protests by the party were continuing at block, district and state levels. He said any other movement or initiative undertaken by any individual or any organisation will definitely give strength to such protests and "we welcome the same."

Party leaders have been saying that the Congress will take up the issues concerning the farmers of the country and "we will welcome any social organisation or any individual joining the Congress party in such endeavours." Congress had been maintaining that Land and Acquisition Bill introduced through ordinance, was not only anti-farmer but also against the soul and spirit of the Right to Fair Compensation Law.

Hazare, along with farmer's bodies, is scheduled to hold a two day protest against the ordinance in the national capital on February 23, when the Budget session of Parliament will commence. The social activist had been sharply critical of the government's move to do away with the provisions of taking consent of a big majority of farmers before acquiring their land. He alleged that the government was working at the behest of business groups. During the run-up to the Delhi Assembly polls, Congress was wooing the Gandhian saying that his two prominent disciples, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi have used his anti-corruption movement for greener political pastures for themselves.