The Congress on Friday announced to launch a nationwide agitation against the Centre’s three agriculture-related Bills. It is in talks with other Opposition parties to come on board to corner the Modi Government on the farmer related issue which has also led to the resignation of Union Minister Harsimran Kaur of Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP’s oldest ally in the NDA.
With farmers protesting against the bills, Congress alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has misled the farmers and the country and Modi is a big liar.
“Person sitting on prime minister’s post should not mislead farmers and country. The PM is lying at a time when the country is battling coronavirus and China is breathing down our neck,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said at AICC Press conference near Parliament.
Congress said any move to “disturb” the present procurement system may deepen “social unrest” amongst farmers of the state”. “We urge upon the government to review and reconsider these measures as these are unlikely to deliver on the promises made to them. Agri-marketing should be left to the states as envisaged in the Constitution,” the party said.
Congress again questioned as to why the Modi Government is trying to finish off MSP. “Both the Agriculture minister and the PM are saying that MSP will continue but when mandis will be finished, who will give MSP? Will FCI (Food Corporation of India) go to farmers’ fields to give MSP?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi says now farmers can sell produce anywhere, 86.2 per cent farmers own less than six acres of land and 60 per cent own less than two acres of land. How can such poor farmers have access to far-off markets,” Surjewala said. He was joined by his party colleagues and Parliamentarians Gaurav Gogoi, Rajeev Satav, Jasbir Singh Gill, Hibi Eden, and Amar Singh.
Surjewala further asked the Centre, “How will small farmers fight for rights against mega corporate?” “When APMC act will no longer be there, how will small farmers, mandi workers and transporters earn their livelihood? The mandi fees helps development in villages,” Surjewala said also announcing for the joint agitation against the decision.
AICC sources said that agitation being planned with other parties can be both physical and virtual.
Accusing the Congress of doublespeak, the BJP has been pointing out that the opposition party itself had in its manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha elections proposed the abolition of APMC Act and making agricultural produce free from restrictions.
But former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said his party will move a resolution against the legislations when the assembly session is convened. Talking to reporters later, Hooda said Haryana farmers are facing an existential crisis due to the three “black laws”, which will “take away” the protection provided to them. It is important that all parties raise their voice in the interest of the State’s farmers, he said, adding that they will not allow the implementation of the legislations in Haryana.
