State Cong president ends 3-day fast

Tribune News Service

Karnal, June 21

Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar today ended his fast that he had started on Monday in support of the farmers’ issues. Two girls, including one of his daughters Abhistada, offered coconut water to him and later he offered the same to his supporters to end their fast.

Tanwar, along with his supporters, held a protest march towards the National Highway-1. His supporters were adamant to unload a tractor-trailer full of vegetables on the highway but the police force present in good strength foiled their attempt. They shouted slogans against the Union and state governments and dumped vegetables on the road near the mini-secretariat.

Meanwhile, no sitting MLA and MP took part in the protest during three days. According to political pundits, Tanwar was successful in showing his strength through the ‘satyagraha’, which he started on the birthday of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday. Several former MLAs and ministers participated in it.

Capt Yadav lends support, didn’t take part in protest

Former minister and senior Congress leader Capt. Ajay Yadav on Wednesday extended his support to the protest and blamed the BJP government for the miserable condition of the farmers.

He criticised the governments for not fulfilling promises made by the Union and state governments, including implementation of the Swaminathan commission’s report. However, he did not participate in the protest march and left the venue early.

Tanwar’ wife Avantika Makan Tanwar, along with her children Adikarta, Anirdudh and Abhistada, reached the dharna site to encourage him and his supporters. “I support my husband, who is fighting for the cause of farmers and people of the state. It was just a beginning and Ashok would continue with such protests,” said Avantika.

Tanwar, meanwhile, announced a series of protests. He said he would hold protests in Sonepat on June 26, in Jhajjar and Beri on July 2 and in Gurugram on July 10. He would continue with protests even after this schedule, he added.

He read out a resolution that he said would be submitted to the President of India, the Governor of Haryana, party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Tanwar, while speaking about the resolution, said the government should release a White Paper on agriculture, waive loans of farmers who have up to 10 acres, give compensation to farmers who had suffered losses due to demonetisation and implement the Swaminathan commission’s report.