Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said said some “forces” want the farmer protest to continue for their own agendas as the latest round of talks with the unions remained inconclusive on Friday, adding that the Centre’s proposal to put the farm laws on hold for two years is in their best interests. 

Speaking to the media after the 11th round of talks, Tomar said that that the unions did not have the farmers’ welfare at heart during the talks, leading to further roadblock in the month-long impasse, ANI reported.

“There are forces that want the agitation to continue and ensuring that no good comes out of it,” Tomar said.

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“The talks remained inconclusive as farmers’ welfare was not at the heart of talks from the unions’ side. I am sad about it. Farmers unions said that they only want the repeal of the laws despite the government asking for alternatives,” he added. 

Representatives of the farmer unions have also been asked to respond to the government proposal till Saturday, following which further talks can be held if they agree to the same, Tomar said. 

“We asked them to reconsider our proposal as it is in the interest of farmers and the country. We asked them to convey their decision tomorrow,” he said. 

The latest round of talks went on for nearly five hours but farmer leaders claim included less than 30 minutes of discussion between the two sides. 

Following the talks, farmer leaders confirmed that their planned tractor rally will be held as scheduled on January 26 and that their peaceful protests will continue in the national capital.