New Delhi: Rakesh Tikait, farmer leader & national spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union ( BKU ) on Friday reacting to PM Modi's announcement of repealing farm laws tweeted that the agitation will not be taken back. "We will wait for the day when the farm laws will be scrapped in the Parliament," he said, hashtagging 'Farmers Protest', adding that the government should discuss other issues of farmers as well, not just minimum support price (MSP).
Tikait further said that the Centre's announcement on repealing the three farm laws seems to be an election gimmick. "The decision comes in the wake of upcoming UP Assembly elections. The farmers' protest has deteriorated the BJP's image as well. Their image is getting affected," Tikait told ETV.
The BKU leaders threatened to continue the agitation till the laws are officially repealed in Parliament. "Farmers will continue to agitate until the laws are taken back in Parliament. MSP Guarantee Act has to be formed. This is a victory for farmers. The victory is dedicated to more than 750 farmers who died and to tribals, workers and women who became a part of this agitation," he added.
Return to your homes, says PM
Earlier in the day, PM Modi announced that the three controversial farm laws will be repealed while emphasising that farmers welfare and agriculture development is the top priority of the government. He further appealed to the protesting farmers to return to their homes.
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister said, "Whatever I did, I did for farmers. What I am doing, is for the country. With your blessings, I never left out anything in my hard work. Today I assure you that I will now work even harder, so that your dreams, nation's dreams can be realised."
Read: All three farm laws repealed, says PM Narendra Modi
PM Modi further said the constitutional measures to repeal the laws will begin in the Winter session of Parliament, which is likely to commence from November 29. "We have decided to repeal all three farm laws, will begin the procedure at the Parliament session that begins this month. I urge farmers to return home to their families and let's start afresh," said PM Modi.
"When the country gave us the opportunity to serve as Pradhan Sevaks in 2014, we gave top priority to agricultural development and farmer welfare. Many people are unaware of the truth that 80 per cent are small scale farmers who have less than 2 hectares of land and are over 10 crores in population. This piece of land is their survival," he added.
This sudden announcement by the Centre assumes significance as the BJP seeks re-election in Uttar Pradesh, which is a big decider ahead of the 2024 general election. Also, if the farm laws would be prolonged further it might hurt the chances of the party, political experts opine. On the other hand in Punjab, the BJP had gone on the backfoot after long-time ally Akali Dal had severed ties with the former over the farm laws.
However, the farmers made it clear that they have no faith in the Prime Minister's words until the farm laws are officially scrapped in Parliament. During an interaction with ETV Bharat at Dehi's Tikri border, one of the farmers said that unless the process of repealing the farm laws is officially completed they will continue their agitation.
Another farmer said that they are ready to go home if the Centre brings in an ordinance repealing the farm laws and gets it signed by the President of India.
Farmer organisations should express their gratitude to PM Modi: Anil Vij
Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij tweeted in Hindi saying, "On the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji to withdraw all the three agricultural laws on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav, all farmer organisations should express their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and immediately lift their dharna and go to their homes and start their regular work."
Meanwhile, the farmers said, "For the last one year the farmers of the whole country were agitating. The Prime Minister of the country neither tweeted nor said anything for the farmers who died protesting. When the UP elections are on the head and the voice is coming from all over the country that farmers are against the government under the pressure of elections, agricultural laws have been withdrawn."
"The farmers had formed the government and will overthrow the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party government only sees elections and wants power. They have nothing to do with the public and farmers. The farmers have seen how the government is talking about the farmers 4 months before the elections. As soon as the elections are over, then the attitude of the government towards the farmers will be the same."
