New Delhi: Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking exclusively to The Daily Guardian, said that some Opposition parties are trying to mislead farmers, who have faith in the policy and the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Excerpts:
Q: The government sent a proposal but the kisan unions have rejected it and demanded nothing less than repealing the farm laws. They have said that they would intensify the protest and also block the Delhi-Jaipur Highway.
A: It is certainly unfortunate and condemnable. And there is a well-thought-out strategy behind creating such a deadlock. Some political parties have conspired to sponsor it. Till date, there has been a history of the solution to such issues coming out of meetings and talks, not through andolans. Eventually, the path will come out of conversation. The government is ready to have a healthy conversation, talk about everything with a healthy mind. All of us want the benefit of the farmers of the country, strengthening of the agricultural sector and profits in the income of the farmers. I believe that all the farmers across the country have faith in the policy and the commitment of honourable Modiji, and an example comes from Rajasthan’s Panchayati Raj elections which are ending today. Nearly 90% of the 2.5 crore voter turnout there is directly or formally connected to the agricultural sector, and the results have come. Rajasthan’s ruling party, Congress, and its Chief Minister call for a bandh, its ministers sit on tractors, break all the rules in Covid’s time, take hundreds of people along the road, and then the people on one side reject the Congress party with the results of the election. If the farmer of Rajasthan is mandating this, the farmer is rejecting the tenure of Congress party, and voting for Modi ji, it is a sign in itself. This movement is not the feeling of the farmers of the whole country. This is a union movement of some farmers who have been sponsored by some opposition parties.
Q: Yesterday, posters of Umar Khalid, along with some other people, were seen, which also carried an appeal to release them. Do you think that this is no longer just about the issue of farmers and other organizations have started to enter the movement to fulfil their agendas?
A: In the history of India, there have always been such mischievous elements which exist to fulfil their purpose and obstruct and hinder the progress of the country.
Q: Yesterday in West Bengal, your party›s president, J.P. Nadda, and general secretary, Kailash Vijay Varghey’s cars were pelted with stones. How did you view the whole incident?
A: Trying to stay in power by killing BJP workers, charging on them with sticks, breaking their bones, burning their houses, and trying to suppress the public’s growing love for the BJP—this is no new subject. There have been many such incidents. But even after these incidents, the BJP’s commitment has increased and its level of conviction has also increased. And, of course, this is all because of the increasing public support for the BJP in Bengal. The lotus will bloom in Bengal this time.
Q: Today, the Governor of Bengal held a press conference and slammed Mamata Banerjee’s government.
A: The Governor is sitting on a constitutional post. He is a senior minister with settled thoughts. If he is forced to say this, then it cannot be just because of yesterday’s incident. Yesterday’s incident may be the triggering point, but they have been hurt for a long time, which is why they are forced to say this