A rally in the national capital on April 19 against the Narendra Modi government’s land acquisition policy may turn out to be the first public appearance of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after his expected return around mid-April from a two-month long sabbatical at an undisclosed location abroad.

During his absence, party president Sonia Gandhi mobilised public opinion and united the opposition against changes made by the Modi government to the 2013 land acquisition law, particularly the dilution of the provision that mandated farmers’ consent ahead of land takeover.

Gandhi had cut his teeth in agitation politics in 2011 by protesting against forcible land acquisition, and the party is hoping that there is a public mood against the dilution of the law that it can ride on.

“We hope Rahulji will be there,” a senior party functionary said.

The caution is understandable: senior party leaders were taken by surprise when, on the opening day of the Budget Session of Parliament, they learnt that Mr. Gandhi had gone abroad to “introspect” on the state of the Congress, thus missing the entire first segment.

“Every senior leader will take part,” said Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh, when asked whether Mr. Gandhi’s participation was confirmed.
(The Hindu)