AS CONG, INLD SUPPORT BHARAT BANDH, KHATTAR SLAMS OPPOSITION FOR POLITICISING PROTESTS

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday accused all the Opposition parties of playing politics with the lives of the farmers to further their own interests.

Khattar was in Gurugram on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day on Monday.

“The farmers are protesting in a peaceful manner and anyone can protest in India in such manner. But few groups of people and political parties have come forward to support the farmers. I would like to suggest them to stop playing dirty politics in the name of the farmers. A conversation between the farmers and the Central government is underway and I hope it will end with some good response,” Khattar said.

Khattar also alleged that some political parties and organisations are “sponsoring” the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s new farm laws and claimed that Haryana farmers have not participated in the stir.

Meanwhile, the main Opposition parties—Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)—joined hands to support the Bharat Bandh call given by several farmers’ organisations on 8 December.

INLD general secretary and MLA Abhay Singh Chautala declared support to Bharat Bandh called by the farmer organisations on December 8. He said, “The day when the farmers’ agitation started, our party announced that each and every worker of the INLD party will fight this battle shoulder to shoulder to strengthen this movement and to abolish the three black laws imposed by the central government.”

The INLD leader said that he would visit the Tikri border on 9 December and meet the leaders of the farmer organisations who are conducting the movement. “We will not back down even if we have to sacrifice anything to make this movement successful. Whatever the farmer leaders will impose on us, we will do it by standing in the front row,” he said.

What’s however worrying the BJP is the reaction of the legislators belonging to the JJP along with several independents, namely Balraj Kundu, Dharam Gonder and Somveer Sangwan, who continue to support the agrarian community. Most of the legislators belonging to the JJP, the alliance partner of the ruling BJP, continue to support farmers.

Apart from this, a string of state unions have extended support to Bharat Bandh, urging the government to withdraw all these laws. Haryana Pradesh Petroleum Dealer Association favoured the farmers stating that the government should rethink about these laws while coming out in support of farmers. Sarv Karmachari Sangh, Haryana announced to be the part of Bharat Bandh and is of the opinion that these laws are anti-democratic and will have adverse effects on farmers.

It is pertinent to mention that expressing their solidarity with farmers, several councilors across the state have resigned from the post.Besides, the sportspersons including wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat extended support to farmers, while international boxer Vijender Singh already threatened to return Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award along with all benefits if the government does not take back these farm laws.

With agency inputs