Over talks with farmers, Congress says central govt drunk on power

Farmers’ leader Rakesh Tikait meets Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday condemned Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar's statement over talks with agitating farmers, saying it showed the face of a dispensation that is "arrogant" and "power-drunk".

Tomar had on Tuesday told reporters in Gwalior that the government is ready to talk with the agitating farmers on options other than the repeal of the Centre's three farm laws. This statement reflects the face of an "arrogant" and a "power-drunk" government, which rejects the demands of farmers agitating for months for the rollback of the farm laws, Surjewala told reporters after appearing as a counsel in connection with the bail plea of a farmer leader, Dr Dalbir Singh.

Farmers have been agitating on Delhi borders against the Centre's three new farm laws since November last year. "This government cannot see 62 crore farmers of this country because it is playing in the lap of a few capitalists," Surjewala alleged.

Hitting out at Tomar, Surjewala said, "He says if farmers want they can talk but black farm laws will not be withdrawn. Then on what issue will the talks take place?" "The government has forgotten that it came to power by making tall promises to farmers. And what are farmers asking for, they are only seeking justice and demanding what is their right. The government must withdraw the black farm laws," he said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with farmer leaders led by Rakesh Tikait and Yudhvir Singh in Kolkata on Wednesday, and assured them of support to their agitation.

The TMC chief said there should be a platform where states could converse on policy issues. "Bulldozing states is not good for the federal structure," she said. She rhetorically asked, "...why is it so difficult to talk to the farmers?" She was referring to the breakdown in communication between the Centre and the farmers who have been camping at Delhi's borders since November last year against the three farm laws.

Nov
Month last year since farmers have been protesting at Delhi borders

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