Farmers Movement Archive

Tejas opposes ‘privatization’ of agriculture, blasts Centre

Ranchi: For the first time after the Bihar assembly election, RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav met his ailing father and party president Lalu Prasad at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) here on Saturday. Talking to media persons outside the hospital after meeting his father, the leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly expressed concern over Lalu’s health and criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre over various issues, particularly the new farm laws and the minimum support prices to the farmers. He said, “I have met my father after a gap of around five months and we are all very concerned about his health. His kidney is functioning at 25% which is alarming. We are not only in touch with the Rims doctors but also with specialists of AIIMS in Delhi and other institutions. A request has been made to them to visit here and conduct check-ups of my father. There is a need for precaution to prevent his health from deteriorating.” State RJD president Abhay Singh said it is not only Tejashwi but also the masses of Bihar and Jharkhand who are concerned over Lalu’s health. On political issues, Tejashwi claimed that after the privatization of various public sector undertakings, the BJP government has now set its eye on the agriculture sector as well and said the Centre should shed ts “autocratic” stand and try to concede to the genuine demand of the protesting farmers. He said, “You have to respect the farmers who comprise 70% of the country's population. The farming community would be a weakened lot if they do not get an adequate return for their produce.” Stating that farmers in Bihar are also suffering and slowly turning into labourers, Tejashwi said they are not getting Rs 1,800 MSP under the Nitish Kumar government and are selling their produce at Rs 800 to Rs 900 per quintal. Singh added, “RJD has prepared a blueprint of its future activities in 14 districts of Jharkhand which would be discussed with the working president later on. We will also invite Tejashwi to Jharkhand for the party programme.” Meanwhile, Jharkhand ministers Badal Patralekh (Congress) and Satyanand Bhokta (RJD) were not allowed to meet Lalu as the maximum quota of three visitors were already over. However, Patralekh said, “We are lawmakers and cannot break them. I could meet Lalu next Saturday as well.” Bhokta added, “We will follow the directions given by our leader to strengthen the party.’

The Times of India

2020-12-20

Ranchi