Mallikarjun Kharge became leader of the opposition this week after Ghulam Nabi Azad withdrew.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Opposing the government “just for the sake of doing it” is not their style of operation, the new leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said today. However, the leader of Congress made it clear that there will be no compromise on the problems that affect the common man.
“We are not opposing the government just for the good of the opposition. We are opposing the wrong policies of the government that affect the common man,” he told the Press Trust of India news agency when asked how he would function as leader of the opposition. .
Kharge, who became LoP (Leader of the Opposition) this week following the retirement of veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, pointed to the ongoing farmers’ protest demanding the repeal of the three farm laws enacted by Parliament last year, ” circumventing all procedures “and demanding that they be withdrawn.
He suggested that the government come forward with new proposals after withdrawing these controversial laws and submitting them to a standing parliamentary committee for scrutiny.
The congressional leader visited Kerala on Friday to address a public meeting organized in Kollam when UDF’s ‘Aiswarya Kerala Yatra’ arrived at Kollam, led by party leader Ramesh Chennithala.
The yatra is being organized to reach the people in advance of the Assembly elections to be held in April-May.
Kharge, a loyalist to the Gandhi family, said his party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had asked him to “highlight the problems of the poor” on the floor of the House.
“We raise the issues (in Parliament) so as not to become famous. We address issues that affect the poor. Someone should speak up,” said the congressional leader.
The 78-year-old leader, with more than 50 years of experience in politics, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to listen to the voices of agitating farmers and address their grievances.
“Farmers have been agitating against the new farm laws for the past few months and demanding that they be withdrawn as it abolished the MSP and the Mandi system,” he stated, adding that “we are all supporting their demand. The government has failed to meet to farmers, the main stakeholders, as these laws are introduced and should be withdrawn. “
Mr. Kharge criticized the Center on the issue, claiming that the government was using all its machinery to divide the farmers by calling them “Khalistanis”.
He alleged that the incidents at the Red Fort on January 26 were a conspiracy planned by the government with the aim of causing divisions among farmers, and was done to “hide its failings.”
He also criticized the government for rising fuel prices, saying they were doing “a great injustice” to the people.
“Gasoline prices are at an all-time high, while international oil prices have hit a record low. By raising prices day by day, the central government is doing a great injustice to the people of this country.” He said.
Mr. Kharge also urged the LDF government of Kerala, led by the CPI (M), to reduce state taxes on gasoline and diesel to ease the burden on the people.
.
