Oppo. denies all allegations of instigating farmers’ struggle and demand repeal agri-laws

Opposition leaders

Stop baseless accusations against political parties and repeal the three anti-farmer laws, demanded Opposition parties in a joint letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi December 24, 2020.

The joint statement sent by the Indian National Congress (Congress,) the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP,) the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK,) the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD,) the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD,) Samajwadi Party (SP,) the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and many other left parties protested against the allegation that the Opposition is “repeatedly lying” to farmers about the new farm laws and “using them for their politics.”

“We have expressed our solidarity with protesting farmers. The call for this ongoing historic struggle was given by over 500 kisan organisations across the country under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). Many of us had opposed these laws when they were enacted in the Parliament, without discussions, or a proper consideration. MPs who sought a vote were suspended,” they said in the letter.

Dismissing the earlier claim as a “travesty of truth,” parties also condemned Modi’s statement that those political organisations in favour of agrarian reforms nowadays oppose such laws. Parties said that they seek reforms to strengthen Indian agriculture, enhance farmers’ prosperity and ensure continued food security. The present farm laws – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act – undermine these very objectives, said Opposition parties.

Further they questioned the statement that the Opposition is spreading lies regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system.

“Modi claims the government is implementing the Swaminathan Commission Report in this regard. This Report recommended an MSP of C2+50 percent, while this government, at best, implements A2+50 percent. In fact, this government told the Supreme Court about its inability to implement C2+50 percent MSP. Who is spreading untruths?” they said.

Likewise, they condemned the idea that parties are “shooting from the shoulders of the farmers” to “regain lost political ground.” Parties said that farmers’ distress due to indebtedness is growing leaving a record number of them with no other recourse than committing distress suicides.

They also said that farmers’ resolve to protest in the midst of a severe cold wave in a peaceful manner while thousands more farmers march to join the protest is a testimony to the fact that farmers nationwide have risen in opposition to these laws. Already 32 farmers lost their lives for this cause.

“We demand that the present agri laws be repealed along with the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. Following this, discussions on agrarian reforms must be held by the central government with farmers and all stakeholders… [to consider] new enactments… by convening a special or a joint session,” they said.