New Delhi: Amid the ongoing farmers’ protest against the three contentious farm laws, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its national office bearers meeting Sunday passed a resolution thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for passing the laws and carrying out reforms in the agriculture sector.
The resolution was passed during the first physical meeting of the BJP’s newly appointed national office bearers and was chaired by party chief J.P. Nadda.
According to a senior BJP leader, PM Modi, who attended the meeting in the morning, told party leaders to inform people about the benefits of the three laws.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of protests by a section of farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh against the farm laws. The farmer unions have asked the laws to be repealed. Apart from the unions, the Opposition too has stepped up its attack on the Modi government over the issue.
“Modi ji took major decisions in the interest of farmers, agriculture sector and carried out major agricultural reforms through the three farm laws. These laws have given the freedom to farmers to get fair prices for their produce, double the income, and farmers can now sell their produce anywhere. These farm laws have enabled them to do that,” said senior BJP leader and party vice-president Raman Singh.
Singh said the BJP workers and leaders who had gathered for the meeting at the NDMC Convention Centre in Delhi thanked Modi for his efforts. The party also passed a resolution thanking the PM for his effective handling of the coronavirus pandemic and for his able leadership during the pandemic.
He said with assembly elections set to take place in five states, the party is confident of its victory. “Elections are proposed in five states — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry. This time the BJP is getting immense support from the people of West Bengal under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” he added.
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‘Farm laws being appreciated’
Terming the three farm laws as revolutionary work that has been undertaken by PM Modi, Singh said all the efforts are being made keeping the welfare of the farmers in mind.
“Our government has said this several times, including the agriculture minister, that they are ready for talks. The protests are being stretched due to political reasons by the Left and the Congress. Farmers are happy with the three laws. Everywhere in the country, the farm laws are being appreciated. But the Left and Congress are trying to keep the protests alive for political mileage,” he said.
He further said that the government understands the seriousness of the matter and is in touch with the farmers. “Not only the farmers of Punjab but we are concerned about farmers across the country. We want to ask them what concerns they have regarding the three farm laws. They should tell us exactly rather than asking for repeal. We are willing to make changes,” he added.
On 16 February, Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with party leaders from Haryana, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh regarding the ongoing agitation and the way forward. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan, who is the MP from Muzaffarnagar, also attended the meeting.
In the meeting, sources said, the party had asked MPs, ministers, and senior leaders to reach out to agitating farmers from their areas, especially those from the Jat community, and make them aware of the party’s stand and the changes it is willing to incorporate.
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A mutual admiration society ?