Calling Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Lakhimpur Kheri visit is completely an example of "political tourism", Union minister of rural development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh on Saturday said there is no true sympathy or compassion for the victims involved.
Horrific violence unfolded in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh on October 3, after the car of Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra mowed down farmers who were protesting against centres three farm laws.
As many as eight persons were killed, four who died in the chaos were farmers while others included BJP workers and the leader's driver.
While speaking to the media Mr Giriraj Singh said: "Rahul Gandhi's visit to Lakhimpur Kheri is merely an instance of political tourism. There is no genuine sympathy and compassion involved. Wherever Congress and the other opposition parties get a chance, they go ahead with their political tourism. I would like to ask why did Rahul Gandhi not visit the family of the journalist killed in that incident? Why has he not visited Kashmir to meet families of people who are being killed over there?".
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A delegation of Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the families of those farmers who died in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The leaders met the dead farmer Lovpreet Singh in the Lakhimpur Kheri district and assured them of all the support and put all efforts to provide them justice.
Giriraj Singh also congratulated the Bihar government for administering 6 crore vaccine doses before December.
"Today, the entire world is appreciating the pandemic management and COVID vaccination pace of India, which we have achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
He further added that he feels proud that despite all the obstacles, India has not only been able to save our people "but also saved lives worldwide by sending vaccines to various countries".
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On being asked about RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav campaigning as an independent leader, he said, "It is the family matter of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Which son got a bigger share in the party is not my business."
Recently, a list of star campaigners for the by-elections in Bihar was released by the RJD and Tej Pratap Yadav has been left out of it. Whereas the list includes the names of the party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. By-polls in Bihar for the Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur Assembly seats are scheduled to take place on October 30 with the counting of votes scheduled on November 2.