New Delhi: The Congress on Friday, termed the fight against the Centre's farm ordinances as the "Mahabharata War" where farmers are fighting for their rights. It even asked other political parties to come in support of the farmers by opposing the three agriculture ordinances which the Centre has brought in the ongoing Parliament session.
Addressing the media, Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "In this war of Mahabharata, on one side there is Bharatiya Janata Party, who are Kauravas, opposed to the farmers of this country, and on the other side, there are farmers or Pandavas, who are fighting for what is right. Congress is standing in the court of Pandavas."
"Now not only BJP but every political party that is enjoying the power, has to take a decision whether they are standing with Modi ji in Kauravas' court, opposing the farmers or are they standing in support of these farmers?" he further added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech during the inauguration of "Kosi Rail Mahasetu", said that the three ordinances are like a "shield" to farmers which will protect them from middlemen.
Responding to the Prime Minister's speech, Surjewala said, "The person sitting in Prime Minister's post should avoid telling lies and tricking the country. Any such act is condemnable. Unfortunately, it will be said that the PM is a liar and is anti-farmer."
Read: Resignation beginning of struggle, SAD will stand by farmers: Harsimrat
"Why is Modi government trying to finish off MSP? Both Agriculture minister and PM are saying that MSP will continue but when mandis will be finished, who will give MSP? Will Food Corporation of India go to farmer's field to give MSP?" he further questioned.
Similarly, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "Yesterday was PM's birthday. But the farmers of India were not involved in the celebration. It is a matter of regret that the Prime Minister, who was giving a speech on the agriculture bill, was absent when it was being presented in Parliament."
Another Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, Rajeev Satav hit out at PM Modi: "If you see his tenure of last six years, neither the debt of farmers being waived off nor the farmers got a good price for their produce. Yesterday was the black day for farmers because whatever little earnings they had till now, will be ended."
He also raised the issue of privatization of various sectors, calling it a "conspiracy" of the government.
"This government has already privatised the airports, railways, and is now also going to privatise farmers' market by giving it to big corporates. This is the conspiracy of the government to eliminate those who form 90 per cent of the population. Congress party will stand strong against it."
Surjewala questioned the timing of Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur's resignation from the Cabinet, asking that if the ordinances were brought in by the Centre in the month of June, why did she resign now.
He also said that if Akali Dal is supporting the farmers on this issue then it should also quit the NDA alliance.
