On Saturday, the Shiv Sena questioned the Modi government’s policies on economy, trade and agriculture, claiming that it was moving towards privatizing airports, Air India and railways and handing control of farmers’ lives to merchants and actors. private.
The party also alleged that the Center submitted agricultural bills “without consulting” its allies, farmers’ organizations or opposition parties, and said the resignation of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has brought the issue to the fore.
In an editorial in its ‘Saamana’ spokesperson, the Sena said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the time of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP leader LK Advani was “different” as they used to “treat constituents of the NDA with respecting them and consulting them ”.
“Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) member Harsimrat Kaur Badal has resigned from the Union Cabinet. Modi’s government introduced two bills against farmers (in Parliament) and she resigned in protest. Her resignation has been accepted. Shiv Sena has already left the NDA and now comes the SAD movement, ”he said.
“During the time of Vajpayee and Advani, the allies of the NDA used to be treated with respect, affection and trust. There used to be consultations on political decisions and the BJP leaders listened to the opinions of the allies. In those days, the spoken word had value, ”said Sena.
“Like Maharashtra, Punjab is an agrarian economy. Therefore, before submitting the farmers ‘bills, the government should have had discussions with representatives of farmers’ organizations and agriculture experts in Maharashtra, Punjab and the rest of the country, ”he added.
The bills propose creating a system in which traders can buy farmers’ products even outside the “mandis”. Congress, DMK, and Trinamool Congress opposed this proposal.
They believe it is anti-farmer, said the party led by Uddhav Thackeray.
“The Center is promoting the privatization of airports, Air India, ports, railways, insurance companies and also cedes control of farmers’ lives to merchants and private actors. The policies of the Modi government in terms of economy, trade, agriculture raise doubts, “he alleged.
“The government says the new system would benefit farmers. Even if one believes it to be true, what was the harm in consulting with some leading farmer leaders in the country? He should have at least had talks with the head of the CPN, Sharad Pawar. But this government has nothing to do with the words ‘dialogue’ or ‘consultation’, ”said Sena.
The Lok Sabha approved on Thursday the Draft Law on Trade in Agricultural Products and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) and the Farmers Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) on Price Guarantee and Agricultural Services Law.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that his decision to resign from the Union Cabinet to protest against the agricultural sector bills symbolizes “his party’s vision, his glorious legacy and his commitment to go to any lengths to safeguard the interests of farmers. “.
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