Consult all stakeholders for reforms in agri sector: Oppn

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 24

Leaders of 11 opposition parties today jointly demanded scrapping of the three agri laws and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. They also objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accusation that the Opposition was misleading the farmers.

In a joint statement, the leaders — Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), TR Baalu (DMK), Farooq Abdullah (PAGD), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Akhilesh Yadav (SP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), D Raja (CPI), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), Debabrata Biswas (AIFB) and Manoj Bhattacharya (RSP) — demanded that consequent to withdrawal of the laws, discussions on agrarian reforms must be held with the farmers and all stakeholders.

“On the basis of these consultations, new laws may be considered by Parliament, if necessary, by convening a special session,” the statement read.

The leaders termed as “baseless” Modi’s charge that opposition parties were “repeatedly lying” to farmers about the new laws. They said they had only expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers.

“Many of us had opposed the laws when these passed in Parliament without discussion or a proper consideration. The MPs who sought a vote were suspended,” it read.

The leaders said they were in favour of reforms to strengthen the agricultural sector, but the present laws would harm the farmers.

Underlining distress among farmers and recurring cases of suicides, the leaders paid homage to the farmers who died during the agitation.