‘Fear of elections’: Oppositions on Centre repealing farm laws

Opposition parties have taken the front seat to congratulate the protesting farmers for their “victory” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision on Friday to repeal the three contentious farm laws that have seen ongoing spirited protests from farmers at the borders of the national capital, and across the country, for over a year now.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu hailed the “sacrifice” of the farmers and called the move “a step in the right direction”. 

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“Repealing of black laws is a step in the right direction …. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success…. Your sacrifice has paid dividends…. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt ….accolades,” Sidhu tweeted.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh thanked PM Modi for “acceding to the demands of every Punjabi” on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, a Sikh holy festival.

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“Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every punjabi & repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of #GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central govt will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani! #NoFarmers_NoFood,” Captain Singh tweeted.

Meanwhile, The Bharatiya Kisan Union’s (BKU) Ugrahan faction also welcomed PM Modi’s announcement to repeal the three contentious farm laws.

“It is a good move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gurupurab,” Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the leader of BKU’s Ugrahan faction, told PTI.

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On the prime minister’s appeal to protesting farmers to return to their homes, Ugrahan said, “Farmers’ unions will sit together and decide the future course of action.”

BKU(Ugrahan) is the largest among the all protesting farmers unions and are protesting at the Tikri border. The Ugrahan faction of the BKU has a sizable presence across Punjab.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to social media and said that the “arrogance” bowed down to the Satyagraha of farmers.

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“The country’s Annadata bowed his head of arrogance with Satyagraha. Congratulations on this victory against injustice! Jai Hind, Jai Hind’s farmer!” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Another veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the decision was impelled by fear of elections rather than a change of policy or heart.

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“What cannot be achieved by democratic protests can be achieved by the fear of impending elections! PM’s announcement on the withdrawal of the three farm laws is not inspired by a change of policy or a change of heart. It is impelled by fear of elections!” he tweeted.

The three farm laws are The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.