Opposition parties unite behind farmers, call for loan waiver
SOLIDARITY Congress, AAP, TMC, CPM, NCP, National Conference come together in capital NEW DELHI: We want to tell PM Narendra Modi and BJP, if we have to change laws or even change the PM, we will ensure better future for farmers, no matter what you do
The farmers’ rally in the national capital on Friday turned into a platform for opposition parties to come together as leaders of all parties pledged their support to the tens of thousands of farmers who had marched to Jantar Mantar from all corners of the country.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, nudging the farmers to continue their protests to seek a better life for themselves, declared “I want to assure you we are with you.”
“When Modiji can waive off ₹3.5 lakh crores of 15 rich people of the country why can’t he do it for farmers. They (farmers) are not seeking free gifts but only their rights,” Gandhi told the protestors, who are seeking higher procurement prices for their produce and waiver of farm loans to alleviate hardships.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Loktantrik
By not implementing the Swaminathan Commission report,
Modi ji has stabbed the farmers in their back ... farmers would wreak havoc in 2019 elections ARVIND KEJRIWAL,
Delhi CM
Janata Dal’s Sharad Yadav also joined the protest. The political significance of the bonhomie between Kejriwal and Gandhi is significant -- they did share the platform at Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s swearing in, but had studiously avoided each other.
The protesters, many waving red, yellow and green flags and banners representing their organisations, also want Parliament to pass two farmer-oriented private member’s bills endorsed by 21 Opposition parties.
Delhi CM Kejriwal, in his address at the venue, claimed that the Centre had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it would not implement the MS Swaminathan Commission report.