MPs representing Amethi should come forward in helping farmers in distress: Varun Gandhi

Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh: BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi on Friday made a veiled jibe asking MPs of all neighbouring districts, including Rahul Gandhi's seat Amethi, to come forward and help farmers hit by the untimely rains and hailstorm in Uttar Pradesh.

"MPs representing Pratapgarh, Jaunpur, Ambedkarnagar and Amethi should also come forward in helping the farmers in distress," Varun said.

Later, Varun clarified that he had not anyone's name. Varun, who led a dharna at the Tekonia Park here to highlight the problems faced by farmers as well as suicide and deaths because of the calamity, said people of Sultanpur have voted for him and their problems were now his own.

He announced that he would donate his five-year salary to farmers and poor people of his constituency and distributed cheques worth Rs one lakh each to the kin of five farmers who lost their lives.

Varun said farmers were compelled to take the extreme step because of loss of their crops.  "When a farmer dies, the soul of country also dies...no one gives up his life for fun," Varun said.