If the Centre approves the land acquisition ordinance in the ongoing budget session in parliament, then the BJP will lose the tacit support of farmers permanently, warned Swabhimani Shetakari Sangathana (SSS) leaders.
If the Centre approves the land acquisition ordinance in the ongoing budget session in parliament, then the BJP will lose the tacit support of farmers permanently, warned Swabhimani Shetakari Sangathana (SSS) leaders.
According to MP and farmer leader Raju Shetti, he had categorically told the treasury benches in parliament that if they approve the ordinance, then they would lose the farmers' support in the future. Shetti, whose party is an ally in the ruling government, still backs Anna Hazare's protest against land acquisition ordinance. "People have voted BJP for good days and welfare of the farmers, not for their exploitation. If the ordinance is approved, then BJP will face the wrath of the farmers," Shetti said.
State SSS chief Sadhabhau Khot said: "Modi is acting as an agent between businessmen and farmers. If businessmen want the farmers' land, they can directly buy it from the farmers. We do not want the government to be an agent to sell land to businessmen."
"BJP leaders including Sumitra Mahajan was part of the land acquisition framing committee. Now, Modi has abandoned this crucial bill and brought in a dictator-style ordinance. It is completely against farmers' right and in favour of industrialists. The ordinance has removed the 70% farmers' consent clause if the land is taken for any project and hospital and construction of private education institutions. The irony is that as per the ordinance farmers do not have the right to go to court against the government. We will oppose this ordinance tooth and nail," Khot added.
He said that farmers are also a part of the democracy. "If their interests are not protected, then we will have to face their wrath. Earlier, irrigated land was not allowed to be acquired under the land acquisition bill, but the new ordinance allows the government to acquire irrigated land as well. The way the ordinance was tabled and pushed, it is not a sign of a healthy democracy. There should be consultations and discussions before bringing and approving such crucial ordinance in parliament," said Khot.
Dinesh Patil, a farmer from Dhule, said: "It will destroy our families and we will come on to the streets. Earlier also the government had allowed industrialists to acquire farmers' land for the special economic zones. What happened? Land was acquired at very rates and now they are sitting on it.
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