Oppn to corner govt on MSP, fuel in House

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Friday to repeal the three farm laws 14 months after their passage by Parliament was seen by many as a step to cut further political damage but a showdown between government and Opposition legislators is imminent in 10 days’ time when the motion for repeal is moved in the winter session.

Opposition parties that entered the fray last year to cash in on the political momentum built by roadside sit-in and “rail roko” protests organised by farmer unions in north India appear to be in no mood to cede the moral high ground to the government when the House sits from November 29 to December 23.

The floor strategy will be centred around, retrospectively, highlighting that the problem was of the Centre’s own making and, prospectively, cornering the government on issues of legally guaranteed minimum support prices and heavy tax burden on fuel products, said leaders of the Opposition who did not wish to be named.

At least three Opposition MPs maintained that “many uncomfortable questions will be raised” when the acts are brought for withdrawal. According to the rules, the government will have to seek the permission of both Houses of Parliament to repeal the laws. The Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien pointed out that there is “still work to be done in Parliament” and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury demanded that “Parliament whilst repealing the three farm laws must enact MSP as a legal right. Over 750 farmers martyred yet PM expresses no remorse”.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi indicated that the fight against the BJP over farmers’ welfare will continue. In her statement, Sonia Gandhi said, “The BJP government has continuously attacked the farming community in the last seven years…whether it is the refusal to pay the farmer the cost +50% profit as promised by the Prime Minister, or the huge increase in the cost of diesel and agricultural products, or the attack of three black anti-farming laws.”

Rahul, in his letter to the farmers, said, “The struggle is not over yet. Getting remunerative MSP for agricultural produce, ending the controversial Electricity Amendment Act, reducing tax burden on everything used for farming, reducing the unexpected hike in diesel prices and the debt burden are serious issues.”

With their satyagraha, the ‘annadata’ of the country made the head of arrogance hang low. Congratulations on this victory against injustice

RAHUL GANDHI, Congress leader