Dushyant Chautala said he will work to secure the MSP for farmers while in power (Archive)
New Delhi:
Haryana’s Senior Deputy Minister Dushyant Chautala, a key ally of the BJP, vowed on Friday to step down from his post if he cannot secure the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for farmers. The comment comes a day after farmers protesting on the Delhi border rejected the Center’s written assurance that the support price system will not be lifted and insisted on repeal of the three controversial farm laws.
“Our party’s national president has already made it clear that the MSP must be guaranteed to farmers. The written proposals delivered by the central government to protesting farmers include a provision for MSPs. I will work to secure the MSP for farmers while it is there. in power. I will resign from my position the day I cannot fulfill the promise, “Chautala was quoted as saying by the ANI news agency.
Chautala, whose Jannayak Janata party formed a government in Haryana in partnership with the BJP in 2019, said that it is in contact with the Center to push for farmers’ demands.
“Chaudhary Devi Lal (late former Haryana chief minister) used to say that the government only listens to farmers until they have a government association. Today, my party and I are constantly putting farmers’ views in front of the Center. I contacted the Union minister by phone and I present my views on possible solutions to the problem of farmers, “he added.
Last month, thousands of Punjab farmers braved water cannons and tear gas in Haryana as they headed to Delhi to press their demand for the repeal of controversial farm laws, which they say will make them susceptible to exploitation by large corporations. .
They have been camping in and around the national capital for the past two weeks.
Several rounds of talks between farmers and governments have failed to break out of the stalemate. The Center has offered to make amendments, but protesting farmers have hardened their position on their demand for repeal of the laws.
On Thursday, peasant agitators threatened to intensify their protests by blocking train tracks and occupying toll plazas.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said the Center is willing to continue discussing their demands.
With contributions from agencies
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