Twitter
Advertisement

Kisan March: Opposition has a field day at farmers' protest in Delhi

The Opposition is hoping to use the farmer agitation to not only counter a legislation on the construction of the Ram Mandir, but also as a trump card to defeat the ruling BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Latest News
article-main
(L-R) CPI (M) Gen Secy Sitaram Yechury, NC chief Farooq Abdullah, Rahul Gandhi, LJD’s Sharad Yadav at Kisan Mukti March on Friday
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Several opposition parties came together on a single stage on Friday to bring to fore the issues faced by farmers against the background of the Winter session in Parliament. The Opposition is hoping to use the farmer agitation to not only counter a legislation on the construction of the Ram Mandir, but also as a trump card to defeat the ruling BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Thousands of farmers came together from a dozen-odd states in the capital to protest 'anti-agrarian' policies, providing impetus to several leaders across parties – namely Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah, Sitaram Yechury, Omar Abdullah, Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Yadav – to speak against the government.

The opposition parties will be demanding a special session of Parliament for a full-fledged discussion on the continuing agrarian distress. It will also press for the passage of two private member bills in Winter session — the Farmers' Freedom from Indebtedness Bill, 2018, and The Farmers' Right to Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Prices for Agricultural Commodities Bill, 2018.

Both, Congress president and Delhi's Chief Minister, addressed the rally organised by CPI(M)-led All India Kisan Sabha, that saw a congregation of 208 farmers organisations under the umbrella body All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).

Gandhi assured the protesting farmers that nobody can silence the voice of farmers and the youth.

"If an uncaring government insults them," he said, "they will make sure that it is removed...We are asking only for justice. If the government can waive off 3.5 lakh crore debt of 15 people, why cannot the debt of crores of farmers be waived?" He aimed a jab at the Prime Minister, saying "The farmers seek what they are owed from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but all they get are empty speeches."

Kejriwal termed the Centre's flagship insurance scheme for farmers as just another ploy to fleece them. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that agricultural growth rate has plummeted due to anti-farmer policies. "Do you remember anyone besides Dhuryodhan and Dushasan among the Kauravas? Similarly, there are just two memorable names in the arrogant BJP — Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he said, adding that BJP leaders invoke the Ram Mandir issue every five years in an attempt to divide the people along communal lines.

"But, farmers have understood their game plan," said Yechury. "They are not going to get divided based on religion and caste this time. They have single religion and caste that of Kisaan."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar too the opportunity to promise farmers that all the opposition parties will ensure that all their MPs – in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha – force the government to bring farmers' issues to the discussion table and resolve them.

Farmer leader Yogendra Yadav termed the convergence of opposition parties as an important milestone for farmers unity. "This means that farmers are emerging as a political force that no political party can afford to neglect. This has happened after a long time and shows that farmers are rising above petty differences of religion and caste," said Yadav.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement