Congress president Sonia Gandhi not to celebrate her birthday on Dec 9 in view of farmers’ agitation

To lend her support to the ongoing farmers’ protest against the contentious farm laws, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday on December 9.

According to sources, a communique has been sent to all PCC heads and in-charges of state units regarding the decision taken by the UPA chairperson.

Sources said that AICC General Secretary (Organisation), KC Venugopal has said that in view of the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across the country and the ongoing farmers’ agitation against the “draconian” agriculture bills, Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday this year.

Venugopal asked all the state heads to avoid any sort of celebration including cake cutting, said sources.

“Farmers are on the street facing the harsh climate and brutal crackdown by the government; instead of celebrations, Congress leaders should strengthen the efforts to provide relief to all those who are suffering and extend support to fighting anndatas,” Sonia Gandhi has conveyed to all the in-charges, sources said.

It is worth mentioning that the country’s main opposition party has announced its support to the “Bharat Bandh” call given by the farmers’ organisations. The grand old party has asked its cadres to hold demonstrations at all district headquarters across the country.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi too appealed to his party men to support the Bharat Bandh on Monday, demanding that “Ambani-Adani laws be repealed”.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had categorically stated that nothing short of the revocation of the farm laws will be acceptable.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping at Delhi’s borders for nearly a fortnight demanding revocation of the newly-enacted farm laws.

Reeling under pressure from the support the farmers’ protest has been getting all over India and abroad, the Modi government has held talks with farmers’ leaders but has not yielded to the demands put forth by them. Five rounds of talks between the government and farmers’ leaders have failed to break the deadlock, following which the sixth round of talks has been called on December 9.