Farmers Movement Archive

Repeal of farm laws a face-saving tactic ahead of key polls: Sharad Pawar

MUMBAI: The Centre has decided to repeal the three farm laws because it feared electoral losses in the upcoming UP and Punjab polls, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar. A view echoed by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and Congress leader Ashok Chavan. The MVA leaders welcomed the repeal and saluted the farmer’s agitation. The state BJP said the Prime Minister was forced to repeal the laws which would have benefited farmers, because he was left with no option. “There will soon be elections to UP and Punjab. People in the villages will ask questions on the farm laws and their leaders will have no answers. That’s why this decision was taken by the Centre,” said Pawar. He said he saluted the farmers for their peaceful agitation and pointed out that the farm laws had been pushed through parliament with no consultation. “Farmers had been agitating for a year but the government did not even talk to them,” said Pawar. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the decision was motivated by “political fear” with the BJP feeling the ground slipping under its feet in UP and Punjab, where elections are forthcoming. “The PM should apologise to the family of 700 farmers who lost lives, and announce monetary relief. He should also withdraw all cases against farmers, including cases registered for violence at Red Fort,” he added. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the decision to repeal showed, “the strength of the common man of the country and what he could achieve.” Saluting the farmers who lost their lives in the agitation, he pointed out that the MVA government had opposed the farm laws both in the cabinet and the state assembly. “In future, before drafting such laws, the Centre should consult opposition leaders and the organisations in order to avoid such a setback,” Thackeray added. “The Centre and the BJP should apologise for the atrocities against the protesting farmers. They insulted the farmers by calling them terrorists and anti-national. A union minister’s son crushed farmers under his car,” said Congress leader and PWD minister Ashok Chavan. State Congress chief Nana Patole said the party would celebrate Kisan Victory Day on Saturday. Meanwhile, the state BJP said the Centre was forced to repeal the farm laws because it was left with little choice. “The PM was forced to repeal the farm laws, which would have brought prosperity to the farmers, with great sadness because he was left with no option,” said state BJP president Chandrakant Patil. “Ordinary farmers backed the farm laws but a group of farmers created disturbances and held others to ransom,” he added. (With inputs from Clara Lewis)

The Times of India

2021-11-20

Mumbai