NEW DELHI – Farmers’ issues continued to dominate the political landscape inside and outside Parliament with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today boycotting a meeting on Covid-19 called by PM Narendra Modi accusing the government of inaction in the matter.
The govt has repeatedly requested the farmers’ unions to discuss provisions of the farm laws, so that advancement can be made towards a resolution. But the unions insisted only on the repeal of laws.
The Congress, RJD, CPI, CPM and the AIMIM also skipped the meeting citing other issues.
Asked why the Congress was skipping the meeting, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Why should the PM brief only the floor leaders on the issue of national importance? He should speak in Parliament so that all MPs can listen.”
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “We have been urging the government to call an all-party meeting on farmers’ issues, understand sentiment of farmers and repeal the black laws. Since they are not responsive, we will boycott today’s meeting by the PM.”
AAP’s Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said, “What to speak of attending the PM’s meeting outside Parliament, we will not let him speak even inside Parliament till he adequately responds to the concerns of agitating farmers.”
Earlier in the day, farmers’ issues were raised in both Houses and the proceedings remained disrupted.
Congress’ Lok Sabha members Manish Tewari and JS Gill and party’s Rajya Sabha MPs Deepender Hooda and Partap Singh Bajwa gave adjournment notices for the suspension of business of the two Houses to discuss the demands of agitating farmers.
Akali Dal’s Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Aam Aadmi Party’s Bhagwant Mann also submitted notices for the second straight day.
All parties repeated the call to repeal the three laws besides assuring farmers as regards the minimum support price regime and the role of agricultural produce marketing committees. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla disallowed the notices with the Members of Parliament of the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party vowing to move adjournment motion notices every day during the session.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu also turned down Deepender Singh Hooda’s notice for suspension of business of the House to discuss farmers’ stir.
