Farmers Movement Archive

Jakhar takes on Ghulam Nabi Azad over farm laws

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar took on party colleague and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad for not giving due recognition to party MPs sitting on dharna against the Centre’s farm laws at Jantar Mantar for over a fortnight. Jakhar’s retort to Azad came at a party programme in Delhi on Thursday, where he voiced his grouse against the All India Congress Committee (AICC) not standing by party MPs from Punjab, including Ravneet Singh Bittu and Jasbir Singh Gill, who have been demanding withdrawal of the farm laws. Jakhar told TOI, “I only pointed out that Punjab is highlighting a battle for the nation and deserves support from everybody, it’s not Punjab Congress’s role alone. The programme against the farm laws was kicked off by Rahul Gandhi with a tractor rally in October. The agitation is being seen as the first battle of Sonipat, which is not only about farmers or Punjab, but for the entire country. What stops party leaders from extending it to other parts of the country?” The incident took place in the presence of Rahul and began with Azad highlighting how Congress Rajya Sabha members staged a nightlong dharna near Gandhi’s statue after the farm Bills were “undemocratically” passed in Upper House. Sources said Jakhar taking on the old guard was appreciated by most party leaders and was not seen as him questioning the party leadership. Box: Cong leadership not serious about protest: AAP AAP leaders said Jakhar had pointed out that Congress Central Committee was not serious about the protest being staged by Punjab Congress MPs, which proved that the Congress was not serious about the farmers’ issue. AAP MLA Aman Arora said it was already being discussed that the Congress was equally responsible for making black laws and the BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress were only pretending to be pro-farmer. He said the statement made by the Congress state president on Friday proved that both the Congress and BJP were hand in glove on the issue of farmers. Arora alleged that the Amarinder Singh-led state government was anti-farmer and was using various manoeuvers to suppress the agitation.

The Times of India

2020-12-27

Chandigarh