Addressing a public meeting at Badhni Kalan in the Moga district of Punjab, Gandhi claimed that the contentious laws would be overturned if Congress was voted on. He wondered what was the “rush” and the need to implement these legislations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Prime Minister says laws are being made for farmers. If laws are being made for farmers, why didn’t you debate at Lok Sabha and Rajya sabha? Gandhi asked.
“And if the farmers are happy with these laws, why are they agitating across the country? Why are all the farmers in Punjab agitating,” he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh at a tractor rally in Punjab
Gandhi assured farmers that Congress will remove the “black laws” the day he comes to power.
“I give you the guarantee that the day that the Congress party comes to power, we will eliminate these three black laws and we will throw them away,” he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who also addressed the rally, said the Center’s promises about the MSP are of no use as long as the laws passed in Parliament are not amended to make them mandatory.
Farmers in Punjab have protested against the new agricultural laws.
Farmers have expressed fear that the Center’s agricultural reforms would pave the way for the dismantling of the Minimum Livelihood Price (MSP) system, leaving them “at the mercy” of large corporations.
The government has maintained that there will be no changes to the MSP.
President Ram Nath Kovind had consented to the three controversial bills: the Trade in Agricultural Products and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; Price Guarantee Agreement and Law of Agricultural Services for Farmers (Empowerment and Protection); and Draft Essential Products (Amendment) Act.
(With PTI inputs)
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