Centre, state responsible for denial of MSP, says Congress

All-India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson and Punjab secretary Alok Sharma criticised both the central and state governments on Saturday, holding them equally responsible for the denial of proper minimum support price (MSP) to farmers in Punjab. Sharma accused the central government of failing to engage with farmers through the recently formed MSP committee.

He also blamed the AAP for paying no heed to farmers, collapsing law and order in the state and non-completion of Smart city projects. Meanwhile, every time he was asked about Congress’ failure during its tenure in MC Jalandhar, he accused correspondents of “asking BJP questions.”

Sharma addressed the media at Punjab Press Club today. He was accompanied by secretary AICC Ravinder Dalvi, Jalandhar DCC urban chief Rajinder Beri and Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Bawa Henry.

Speaking on the issue of MSP, he said, “Farmers’ problems have constantly increased under Modi ji. Congress increased MSP by 113 per cent in 10 years, but Modi government has increased it only by 57 per cent. MSP hasn’t increased much, but farmers’ input costs have drastically increased. For this, the Centre is responsible. The committee which determines MSP has had no chairman for years. For the past three years, the committee hasn’t talked to farmers. BJP leaders who supported three farm laws are members of the committee. After 2021, the Centre hasn’t talked to farmers.”

He added, “The situation has aggravated with the AAP government in the state. This time, the produce kept lying in mandis. Farmers had to sell it under compulsion, incurring losses. Moisture, seed quality and other factors were cited as reasons not to buy the crop. This happened with state-Centre’s collusion. So both parties (BJP, AAP) are equally responsible. When paddy was being sown, Bhagwant Mann issued advisories on seeds and assured farmers he will come to their doorstep. But look what happened.”

On Congress’ poor show in the bypolls, he said, “At some places like Gidderbaha, Congress’ vote percentage was very good. Everyone also knows about the role of administration, SDMs, SHOs and calls by gangsters.”

Sharma repeatedly referred to the AAP as the B-team of the BJP in the state. He also said during the recently concluded byelections, SAD had served as a C-team of the BJP.