Farmers Movement Archive

This is farmers’ victory, says Mamata Banerjee after repeal move

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday congratulated farmers “who fought relentlessly” against three contentious farm laws, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced their repeal by month-end. She also paid condolences to bereaved families who lost their dear ones in the prolonged agitation. The Trinamool Congress chief had sent party delegations to the Singhu border protest site time and again to show solidarity with the farmers’ cause. Taking to her Twitter handle immediately after the PM’s annoucement, Banerjee said: “My heartfelt congratulations to every single farmer who fought relentlessly and was not fazed by the cruelty with which @BJP4India treated you. This is your victory. My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones in this fight.” In November 2020, the CM had written to PM Modi demanding repeal of the farm laws. In January this year, the West Bengal assembly passed a resolution against the laws. Banerjee had also penned a poem for the farmers, highlighting their pain and struggle. Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee described the development as “more power to farmers” but linked the decision to “crucial assembly elections in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, among other states”. He tweeted: “Their long and arduous struggle, their grit and determination against all adversities has shown @BJP4India their true place. This is the real power of dissent in a democracy and I salute each and every farmer for their courage.” Trinamool leaders said BJP could sense the ground under their feet slipping, especially in Punjab and UP, in the run-up to assembly polls. Senior Trinamool MP Saugata Roy said the Modi government had to bow down as it was “losing ground in north India”. “We supported the farmers’ protests. It took more than a year for the Modi government to bow down. There are political reasons,” he said. Party vice-president Yashwant Sinha said: “I attach no noble sentiment to the government for this move. It is a calculated step for the UP elections. For this government, democracy begins and ends with elections.” Trinamool leaders had been in touch with Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders since the beginning, raising the issue repeatedly in Parliament. Farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Yogendra Yadav had campaigned against BJP’s anti-farmer stance in the summer Bengal assembly polls. Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha member Sukhendu Shekhar Roy said the repeal decision was a sign of BJP’s fear of defeat in upcoming elections to five states. “Farmers had announced sending representatives each day to Parliament. The decision shows the government is now scared of public outrage,” he said.

The Times of India

2021-11-20

Kolkata