Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday tried to allay the concerns of farmers, who have been protesting since November 26 against the three recently-enacted farm laws, ANI reported. He blamed certain “elements” for “trying to misguide farmers by misusing these protests.”

“I come from Vidarbha. Over 10,000 poor farmers died by suicide. This issue should not be politicised,” the Minister said.

Also read: Farmers’ Protest Day 20 Live Updates: No dialogue can lead to miscommunication, says Nitin Gadkari

Urging farmers to first understand the laws, Gadkari said the Centre is ready to accept their suggestions. 

“Our Government will convince the farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue,” he said.

The absence of dialogue would lead to miscommunication, controversy and sparring, Gadkari said, according to ANI.

“If there is a dialogue then issues will be resolved, the whole thing will end, farmers will get justice, they’ll get relief,” he said.

Speaking further, the Minister said India imports Rs 8 lakh crore of crude oil. “Instead, the government wants to build Rs 2 lakh crore ethanol economy,” he said, adding that if that actually happens, farmers will get Rs 1 lakh.

“In the coming time, aeroplanes will run on fuel made from ethanol and the money will go to farmers,” Gadkari said.

“This is our vision and dream,” he added.

Also read: Farmers’ Protest Day 19 Highlights: Amid protests over agri laws, PM to meet farmers in Kutch

On activist Anna Hazare announcing he would sit on a hunger strike in solidarity with the farmers, Gadkari said he doesn’t think the activist would join.

If told, he would hold talks with the protesting farmers, the Minister said.