Hathras/Agra, Oct 12 (PTI) Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary on Monday questioned the continued protests in Delhi and praised the police action.
The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president was speaking to reporters in Hathras.
“In a democracy, there is a way to protest. When opposition parties have already approached the President and conveyed their concerns, how appropriate is it to continue staying on the streets?” he asked.
On the closure of metro stations and disruption to public transport, Chaudhary said the government took the steps from a security perspective and protect people from harm.
Such measures were necessary from an administrative standpoint, he said.
“I appeal to the protesters that their concerns have been recorded. They should have faith in democracy and also trust the government, and put forward their views through democratic means,” he said.
In 2020-21, Chaudhary supported the farmers’ agitation against the Centre for the rollback of three controversial farm laws, which were eventually repealed.
Chaudhary, who was then an opposition leader and not a Union minister, even visited protesting farmers at Delhi’s Singhu border.
The RLD was then not a part of the NDA.
Earlier in the day, addressing the party’s RLD Swabhiman Rally in the Fatehpur Sikri Assembly Constituency in Agra district, Chaudhary also took a swipe at Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav without naming him.
“Some people attacked me, but many arrows did not reach me. They were trying to determine my worth. Those who do not consider me even a chavanni (25 paise), I want to tell them that I am not even equal to the dust of Braj,” he said.
There was a reason the politician mentioned the humble coin.
In 2022, when the two parties contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections together, Chaudhary said he was not a ‘chavanni’ who could be flipped easily (made to change sides).
Earlier this year, Yadav used the term to suggest that the SP had enhanced the RLD chief’s political worth.
Agra and neighbouring Mathura form part of the Braj region and have a sizable Jat population. The community has traditionally been an important support base for the RLD, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh. PTI COR KIS VN
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