Lead all-party delegation to PM on farmers' stir: Congress to Punjab CM

Senior Punjab Congress leaders have asked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to lead an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find an amicable solution to the farmers' issue.

An AICC member and former Cabinet minister Brahm Mohindra said the CM should show magnanimity by inviting all political parties to press upon the Centre to listen to the genuine problems of the farmers. “It is not only the farmers who are suffering but also the common man, the business community and all those related to the agriculture sector are suffering. The CM should rise above the party and take a bold step in taking the matter strongly with the Centre,” he said.

Be the legislation on the MSP or other demands, Punjab is crucial for the country as it has always been in the forefront of the guarding the feeding the nation, he said, adding that if required the CM should stage a dharna in Delhi, as had been done by Capt Amarinder Singh against the farm laws that were later repealed. “The entire Cabinet and MLAs led by Capt Amarinder Singh had staged a dharna at the Jantar Mantar against the step-motherly treatment to Punjab," said Mohindra.

Former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla said the state's economy was directly dependent on farmers. The Centre has to be sympathetic in initiating talks with the farmers. “The BJP should fulfil its promise of bringing a legislation on MSP, instead of adopting a step-motherly treatment,” he said.

PPCC working president Bharat Bhushan Ashu questioned the CM for stating that he had no role on the issue of the farmers' agitation. “The CM should shun this approach and open a way for talks with all stakeholders, and call an all-party meeting on the issue. The agitation has been going on at Shambhu and Khanauri borders for the last few months but the Centre is not paying any heed to their demands. It is the state that has to push the Centre to take note of the issue," he said.