Lakhimpur violence: Rahul Gandhi demands Ajay Mishra be removed as Minister & PM apologise

Congress leer Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded that Union minister Ajay Mishra be removed from his post over Lakhimpur Kheri violence and said it is time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise once again.

His remarks came after Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing violence, which claimed eight lives including that of four farmers, urged chief judicial magistrate to replace lesser charges in case like causing death by negligence with attempt to murder, saying that it was a "pre-planned conspiracy causing death".

"Modi ji, it is time to apologise again... But first remove accused's far from minister's post. truth is before you!," Gandhi said on Twitter, using hashtags "Lakhimpur" and "murder".

He alleged that minister tried to kill farmers and prime minister knew as he was a member of his team.

"A minister has tried to kill farmers. prime minister knows as he is in his team. We raised issue but we were not allowed a discussion on it even n. We were all silenced at time after we wanted to discuss issue," he told reporters when asked about matter.

"Everyone knows truth and it is that 2-3 big industrialists are against farmers and Narendra Modi is in front," he claimed.

Asked if Congress would raise issue in Parliament, former Congress chief said, "We will certainly raise issue in Parliament but y will not allow us to raise it." 

In response to anor question, he said, "When y ran ir jeep over farmers, which forces were behind m? Who gave m liberty and which force kept m out of jail?"

SIT urged CJM to replace IPC sections 279 (rash driving/riding), 338 (causing grievous injuries by negligence) and 304A (causing death by a rash and negligent act) with IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) among ors in case related to October 3 violence in Uttar Presh. 

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also demanded sacking of Mishra and asked prime minister to apologise.

"Dear Modi ji, now in Lakhimpur Kheri conspiracy to kill farmers has come to fore. Today you should apologise to farmers from stage in Uttar Presh and sack minister of state for home. Orwise it will be proved that massacre of farmers took place at behest of Yogi-Modi government," he claimed.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vra also demanded that re should be an inquiry into role of minister of state for home in "conspiracy"

"Due to court's rebuke and because of 'satyagraha', now even police is saying that son of minister of state for home h conspired and crushed farmers. But @narendramodi ji, due to anti-farmer mindset, you have not even removed him from his post," she said.

Image: PTI, ANI