With Rahul Gandhi leading the Congress party?s attempt to make inroads into Uttar Pradesh through farmers? agitations against land acquisition, the state government has swung into action, inviting farmers to meet chief minister Mayawati in Lucknow on June 2.

Two senior Mayawati lieutenants ? Chaudhury Laxmi Narayan, minister for agriculture, and Jaiveer Singh, minister for rural engineering services, overseas agro-trade and export ? have been tasked with inviting farmers? representatives. The ministers on their part are trying to rope in the farmers with the help of Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.

The state government feels that putting the two ministers who have a thorough understanding of farmers? issues on the job will help it win over the trust of those who stand to lose land for industrial projects. The government intends to assure farmers that their land will not be forcibly acquired under any circumstances. In an attempt to neutralise the Congress attack, the government also intends to make the farmer a bigger stakeholder in land acquisition.

Mayawati is expected to address farmers and announce several farmer-friendly land acquisition steps at the meeting. The chief minister will also explain that the onus for giving better compensation lies with the Centre and that the state has been demanding an amendment to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for long.

Officials are mum on the likely measures, but rumours are doing the rounds that Uttar Pradesh could go for a visible shift in stance to accommodate farmers? interests. This could include fresh legislative provisions to make the land-acquisition process foolproof by insulating it from overt judicial intervention or opposition attacks, two possibilities that could put the state on the back foot.

While farmers from western UP have demanded better compensation for their land, those from the eastern parts have risen against land acquisition as they fear loss of livelihood.

Bhatta Parsaul and Chandauli may be poles apart, but land remains an emotive issue, attracting maneouvering by various political parties.