Farmers Movement Archive

Capt should talk to Modi, not browbeat farmers, says Mann

Moga: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab state president and MP Bhagwant Mann has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of imposing sanctions on Punjab out of sheer frustration due to the farmers’ struggle against the Centre’s farm laws. Mann, speaking to journalists at Moga on Wednesday, said blocking of freight trains, withholding Rural Development Fund (RDF) and GST were revengeful acts on the part of the government at the centre against Punjab, which had contributed 90% to the country’s freedom struggle and food security. Mann said if the contentious farm laws were being opposed by the farmers and farmer organisations all across the country, the Modi government should hold talks with them to allay their apprehensions. Mann also said chief minister Amarinder Singh should not waste time by making appeals to the farmers with an ulterior motive of derailing their struggle at the behest of Modi rather should talk to the Prime Minister and have their issues and concerns resolved. He urged all party workers, volunteers, leaders and people from walks of life to extend their whole-hearted support to ‘Chakka Jam’ call given by struggling farmers for November 5. The leaders, cadres and volunteers have been directed not to use the party’s flag or raise any slogan on the occasion since it was the peasants’ struggle. Mann appreciated farm organisations for their peaceful and united struggle and cautioned them not to turn violent whatever was the provocation, as the Modi government was inventing ways and means to derail the farmers’ struggle by defaming them in one way or the other.

The Times of India

2020-10-29

Chandigarh