Evident government won't budge, prepared for long haul, say farmers

Facing a massive agitation from farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, the Centre planned an outreach program yesterday steered by its biggest crowd-puller, PM Modi.

During yesterday's interaction, farmers told him about the benefits they reaped from the Centre's schemes.

PM Modi slammed Opposition, especially West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for misleading farmers and tried addressing myths linked to the laws.

PM Modi asserted that the agitation is politically driven, a statement that miffed the agitating farmers.

A leader Abhimanyu Kohar said farmers' unions haven't allowed any political party to misuse their stage.

"The Prime Minister's claim that we are being misguided by other political parties is false. In fact, we have banned them from using our stage. Our protest is not political," Kohar said.

Separately, Shiv Kumar Kakka, a senior leader of Sankyut Kisan Morcha, also echoed the same sentiments.

"In election rallies, he (PM Modi) says his government has fixed MSP as per the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Committee. But in court, they say it was not possible to do so," Kakka underlined.

He asked why a legal guarantee on MSPs hasn't been given yet.

Similarly, Avtar Singh Mehma, State Press Secretary, Krantikari Kisan Union (Punjab), reminded that farmers' unions targeted all parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

"So how can we be misguided by these political parties?" he questioned.

Kohar also said the government can't shed responsibility by just saying these laws are good for farmers, it will have to prove it.

On the road ahead, Jagmohan Singh, General Secretary of BKU (Dakaunda), said farmers aren't even considering leaving Delhi's borders and that they are fighting against "undemocratic ways."

"First, they make laws without consultation, later they say these are for our good...then make amendments and say laws cannot be taken back. But why did you make such laws in the first place?" he queried.