Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday said that the farm legislations of the Centre government are part of the “Destroy Farmers, Destroy Punjab” conspiracy of the BJP-led NDA, of which the Akali Dal continues to be a part.
“I don’t know what enmity the BJP and the Akalis have with Punjab and why they are out to destroy us,” said the Chief Minister while launching the Virual Kisan Mela of the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.
Warning again that the legislations will lead to growing angst among the people in the border state, thus giving Pakistan the opportunity to stoke more fires, Captain Amarinder said this move will spoil the “abo hawa” (environment) of Punjab.
Delhi has to rethink on this issue, he stressed, adding that the legislations would undo the sacrifices made by Punjab and its farmers over 65 years to make India self-sufficient in food.
Accusing the Akalis of playing their own political games in this entire affair, Captain Amarinder asked the Badals why the SAD had failed to stand with the Punjab government on these Bills and even on the critical water issue. “Did you not think even once what will happen to Punjab without agriculture and without water?” he asked the Akalis, pointing out that with the SYL issue hanging over the state, the situation was perilous and the SAD had only contributed to the crisis.
The Chief Minister said notwithstanding the Centre’s denials these new laws will eventually pave the way for the elimination of the MSP regime and end of the FCI, leaving the farmers at the mercy of big corporate.
Taking a dig at Harsimrat Badal’s remarks of standing with her farmer brothers by resigning from the Union Cabinet, Captain Amarinder asked why she forgot that the farmers were her brothers when the Centre brought in the ordinances.
Had SAD stood with his government from the outset and put pressure on their ally, the BJP, the current situation may not have arisen, the Chief Minister added.