Dadri MLA resigns from livestock development board chairman's post to support farmers’ stir

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 30

Announcing to join the farmers’ agitation, the Independent MLA from Dadri assembly segment in Charkhi Dadri district, Sombir Sangwan, who was appointed chairman of the Haryana Livestock Development Board, has resigned from the post on Monday.

Sangwan, who is the pradhan of the Sangwan Khap having influence in 40 villages in Bhiwani and Dadri districts, wrote his resignation letter to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, stating that he was quitting the post to extend support to farmers.

He had backed the BJP-JJP government after the Assembly polls last year, after which he was made the chairman by the state government.

Murmurs of dissent over the farmers’ stir are becoming visible in the Haryana government as the JJP MLA from Barwala assembly segment in Hisar, Jogi Ram Sihag, too, had turned down the post of chairpersonship of the Haryana Housing Board last month citing his disagreement with the government over the farmers’ issue.

Talking to The Tribune, Sangwan said farmers of Dadri too had joined the stir and were staying put at the Delhi-Haryana border. He said he was leaving the post in view of the decision of the khap panchayats and in view of the prevailing circumstances.

“We will start a march toward the Delhi border in tractor-trolleys tomorrow morning and will not return until the Centre Government listens to and redresses the issues of farmers concerning the three Farm Acts. There seems to be some confusion over the assurance from the Centre about ensuring the minimum support price (MSP) to the produce of farmers,” the MLA said.

Though the government is saying that the Act is for the benefit of the farmers, then why are they hesitating in making a written provision. There is something amiss somewhere. Thus, the farmers are not able to lay faith in the government”, the MLA added.

Sangwan said there was no pressure from government or any other side on him as he represented the khap panchayat.

“I will do my duty as a true representative of khap,” he said.

Sangwan was among the four Independent MLAs who were appointed as chairman of the boards and corporations by the Khattar government last year. The BJP had to get the support of the Independent MLAs (seven Independents) and JJP (10 MLAs) after it fell short of getting majority with 40 members.

Besides the Sangwan khap, other khap panchayats — including Kalirawan khap, Chahal khap, Kher Khap, Daran Khap, Thua khap — have also extended the support to the farmers’ stir and announced to join the agitation.

A group of farmers from Ladwa village of Hisar, under the banner of the BKU, left for Delhi today. They were led by district president Shamsher Nambardar.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.