Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Sanjay Raut meets Rahul Gandhi over joint opposition action

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi to discuss the need for a united Opposition to raise the issue of Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Ahead of the meeting, he tweeted, "Lakhimpur Kheri violence has shaken the nation...There is a need for joint Opposition action against oppression by Government in UP."

New Delhi: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday pressing on the need for a united opposition to raise the issue of Lakhimpur Kheri violence. In a stern remark over Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel denial of permission to step out of Lucknow Airport, Raut said "Is there a democracy in the country? It has been completely destroyed."

There is a buzz that a delegation of opposition leaders will visit Lakhimpur Kheri as a mark of protest. However, Raut refrained from commenting on it. "We cannot reveal everything that has been discussed in the meeting," he said, while addressing the media.

Raut took to Twitter ahead of the meeting with Rahul and wrote, "Lakhimpur Kheri violence has shaken the nation, Priyanka Gandhi has been arrested by UP Government, opposition leaders are being restricted from meeting farmers. There is a need for joint opposition action against oppression by Government in UP."

On October 3, eight people were killed as violence erupted during a farmers' protest over Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit. Four farmers were killed allegedly in the incident. Two SUVs were allegedly set on fire and four others were also allegedly killed. According to protesting farmers, the union minister's son allegedly ran his car over anti-farm law protesters.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi has been booked by Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday along with others allegedly for disturbing peace in the state. Congress alleged she was arrested on Monday while she was on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri.