In SAD-BJP show of strength, PM Modi accuses Cong of neglecting farmers

Archit Watts 

Tribune News Service 

Malout, July 11

In what was billed as a show of strength for the SAD-BJP combine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday targeted the Congress for what he alleged an anti-farmer policies of the Congress government for the last 70 years.  

Speaking at a rally in Punjab's Malout, the Prime Minister showcased the recent Centre’s decision to hike the Minimum Support Price (MSP), which he claimed was done to alleviate the sufferings of the farmers.

Indicating more relief for cotton farmers, PM Modi in Punjabi remarked, “Narme nu narm nahi rehn dena, takkda karna hai.

Flanked by the entre top brass of the Akali Dal-BJP leadership, PM Modi tore into the policies of the previous Congress government blaming them for the farmers woes.     

Taking potshots at the Amarinder government, Modi asked people why the state lagged behind in developmental parameters in the recent world bank's report, while Haryana, under the BJP rule, stood third in the country.

He also alleged delays in the setting up of AIIMS in Bathinda and claimed that the Punjab  government lagged behind in initiating welfare programmes for the people.  

The Akali Dal-BJP leadership, PM Modi tore into the policies of the previous Congress government blaming them for the farmers woes.     

The Prime Minister said: “In the last 70 years, most of the times the Congress, which our farmers placed their faith in did not recognize their hard work. Only promises were made to them, and the party worked for the interest of only one family.”

He said, “Ever since the BJP government took the historic MSP hike decision, the farmers are relieved. A big worry is gone. They are more confident of their produce now.”

He said that the government was working towards increasing farmers' income. He told the farmers not to burn agricultural residue as it added to pollution.