‘Shift stir’ plea not political: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

Once again urging the farmers to discontinue their protests in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said it was unfortunate that the farmers’ leaders had given a political twist to his remarks on the issue.

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Reacting to Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s criticism of his call to protest in Delhi and not Punjab, the CM lamented that despite his government’s unequivocal support to their cause, the farmers had misinterpreted his appeal and tried to link it with the upcoming state Assembly polls.

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He said Punjab had always stood with the farmers on the issue and it was sad that its people were suffering due to continued protests by the farming community across the state. The CM asserted that there was no question of trying to split the farmers of Punjab and Haryana, all of whom “are equal victims of the apathy of the Centre and in the neighbouring state”.

“My government had even brought Bills to mitigate the farm laws’ adverse impact,” he pointed out, adding that those Bills had, unfortunately, not been forwarded by the Governor to the President for assent.

Continued protests in Punjab would push industry out of the state, which would have a severe impact on the economy. The situation was already becoming serious on the grain storage and procurement front, with lifting of stocks getting obstructed, he said.

“If things continue in this manner, we will lose out on investment, revenue and employment opportunities,” the CM warned. He rejected the SKM’s claims that there was no paralysis of the state government due to the protests, pointing out that it was not the Adanis or Ambanis whose interests were being hurt by such protests, but the common people and economy.