Akalis siding with BJP on anti-farmer policies: Jairam Ramesh
Sunday, 05/04/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Chandigarh : Former Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today hinted that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may participate in the rally of farmers in New Delhi on April 19. Rahul hasn’t made a public appearance for several weeks now, leading to speculative stories about him.
Ramesh also took on the SAD asking it to prove they were pro-farmers by standing against the Modi government’s land acquisition Bill. Ramesh praised land acquisition policy of Punjab saying the farmers and farm labourers got the best returns. “But it is strange that one of the most senior politicians in the country is supporting an anti-farmer Bill.”
Ramesh said all Congress leaders would participate in the farmers’ rally, adding that Rahul was on course to rejuvenate the party. “Some times we need to be with ourselves, away from the media and public gaze to chalk future course of action. Rahul is surely doing that. He is not on leave. He is working.”
Ramesh was here to mobilise Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh units of the party for the success of the pro-farmer rally in Delhi. Talking to the media, he said the Congress was against the land Bill in principle as the passage of the Bill would give unbridled powers to the government to acquire farm land. He said the Modi government might try to convene a joint session of Parliament for passing the Bill as they didn’t have majority in Rajya Sabha, “We will oppose the Bill and the amendments not only in Parliament but on all platforms up to the level of gram sabha,” he said and challenged the government for discussion at any public platform.
Punjab Congress chief Pratap Singh Bajwa, Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and Chandigarh Congress chief Pardeep Chhabra held meetings with Jairam Ramesh. Former Chandigarh MP Pawan Bansal also met him later in the day.
