The Opposition parties hailed the decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti to repeal the three farm laws that became a bone of contention between the BJP government and the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh.
As soon as the televised announcement on the decision to repeal the farm laws was splashed at 9 am on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the Satyagraha of the “annadatas” (farmers) of India has forced the “arrogant” Central government to bow down.
Rahul Gandhi posted the tweet quoting one of his old tweets from November last year, where he was seen addressing a group of media and telling them to mark his words that the Central government would ultimately have to bow down to the farmers.
The Congress has decided to observe “Kisan Vijay Diwas” across the country on 20 November in recognition of the “farmers’ struggle” against the repeal of the three Central farm laws. In an official statement, the party welcomed the decision of the BJP-led Central government termed it as a “victory of the farmers.” “The victory is dedicated to all the Annadatas of our country, in recognition of their consistent and spirited fight against the flawed decisions of the tyrannical government and will be observed by the Indian National Congress as ‘Kisan Vijay Diwas’, on November 20, 2021,” read the statement.
Senior Congress leader and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted to the announcement saying that the nation understands why the decision to repeal the farm laws was taken so suddenly and the timing of it. “The decision to repeal the three farm laws has been taken in view of the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Surveys have indicated that the situation for the BJP in the upcoming polls isn’t right and that is why they have come forward to apologise by repealing the laws,” she said.
Many Opposition leaders were quick to react and said that Prime Minister Modi bowed down to electoral heat that the party was likely to face in the upcoming polls in crucial states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Former UP Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also took a dig at the Central government by saying that PM Modi announced the repeal of the farm laws as the BJP was afraid that it would lose elections in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. “The BJP has insulted the protesting farmers at every level. The farmers won’t forgive and will wipe BJP out in the upcoming elections,” Yadav said.
While other Opposition leaders like Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who is also a formidable player in Punjab politics, said that he was happy that such a big announcement had come on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. He further said in a tweet that the country would remember the “martyrdom” of 700 farmers who have lost their lives in the “battle” against the three farm laws.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also congratulated the farmers for their “victory” against the farm laws. In a tweet she said, “My heartfelt congratulations to every single farmer who fought relentlessly and was not fazed by the cruelty with which the BJP treated you. This is YOUR VICTORY! My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones in this fight.”
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo Parkash Singh Badal said on Friday that no government should enact such “insensitive and cruel laws” again. “A defining moment in history and a historic victory of farmers on Gurupurab,” he said.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has recently floated his new political outfit, Punjab Lok Congress, hailed the Prime Minister for repealing the farm laws. In a tweet, Amarinder said, “Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every Punjabi & repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of #GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central govt will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani!”
FARMERS CELEBRATE
The farmer leaders who were leading the protests against the three farm laws at almost every border in Delhi have hailed the repeal of these farm laws, but are saying that they would still not go from their protest site unless they are satisfied that the government is committed to doing what it announced today.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said that farmers would return only when the farm laws were withdrawn. “This (decision) also seems to be an election gimmick, given the manner in which the graph of the Modi government is going down and their image is getting affected. The government woke up after 750 people died. Where have they withdrawn the three farm laws? Where are the papers? Show us the papers. We will continue the protest until the farm laws are withdrawn in Parliament,” Tikait said on Friday. Tikait has now demanded that the Central government must form an MSP Guarantee Act.
While another farmer group, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Bhanu), has now asked for crop rates to be decided and the waiving off of farm loans. “I welcome this move. Due to anti-farm policies for 75 years, farmers died due to debts. I urge PM Modi to form a farm committee and let it decide crop rates. Farmers’ loans should be waived in a day through an announcement like today’s” Bhanu Pratap Singh, BKU (Bhanu) president said.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal the farm laws. The SKM said that it would wait for the decision to formally take place in the Parliament.
“SKM reminds the Prime Minister that the agitation of farmers is not just against the repeal of the three black laws, but also for a statutory guarantee to remunerative prices for all agricultural produce and for all farmers. This important demand of farmers is still pending,” the SKM said.