New Delhi: The AAP exhibited an aggressive approach vis-à-vis farm laws in the Vidhan Sabha. During the proceedings of the House, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Minister Gopal Rai and two other MLAs tore the copies of farm laws. The House was adjourned after the ruckus created by the ruling party MLAs. The copies of farm laws were burnt thereafter as well. ETV Bharat Delhi State head Vishal Suryakant had a special conversation with senior AAP leader Somnath Bharti.
Question: The Aam Aadmi Party government first implemented agricultural laws and then protests and now copies of laws were torn.
Answer: Who are we to pass the laws of the Centre? The BJP has no propaganda due to which the Aam Aadmi Party is being accused. After the pandemic and the migration of migrant labourers, what was the need for the agricultural laws to be implemented?
When the country was struggling with the coronavirus, the Central government was engaged in implementing these laws, which are being opposed by farmers. On September 14, 2020, by showing little respect to the Constitution, agricultural laws were implemented in a hurry, which I will call the case of killing our Constitution. Dr Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Constitution says that if someone in the House says that I want to vote, the voting has to be done. It did not happen, which was criticized everywhere. At the same time, the Central government has passed the law using its muscle power.
Till date, the BJP has been unable to tell what will be the benefit of these laws to our farmers. These laws were passed by bypassing the Constitution. These laws are unconstitutional. Agricultural laws have been passed without understanding the problem of farmers. The Aam Aadmi Party does the politics but what is the politics of the BJP. For whom the BJP does politics?
Question: After the enactment of farm laws, the Aam Aadmi Party got active only when farmers came out on the streets. Objections were raised on what the Government of Punjab did. Now you are doing the same thing in the assembly. Do you consider it as a political lapse on the part of your party or an issue of electoral politics?
Answer: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh himself was a part of the draft committee, which framed these laws. Then he did not express his opposition. When the opposition of the farmers started catching momentum, they started speaking in favour of farmers. The Punjab government has said deceitful things. The so-called support to farmers from the Government of Punjab is a mere formality. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government has opposed the agricultural laws from day one. Also, Chief Minister Kejriwal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after which the Central government turned against the Delhi government.
Question: Many legislators including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tore the copies of the law by calling a special session of the Vidhan Sabha. What can be the benefits of all this except political gains or posturing from such protests?
Answer: We have given support to farmers on roads. We have opposed agricultural legislation everywhere including in Parliament. We openly opposed the agricultural laws in the assembly as well. Burning or tearing down copies of law does not become an illegal act. Our motive was to make all MLAs and the people of Delhi aware of new agricultural laws. Thereafter, we decided to protest against these laws and there is total unanimity within the party over the decision.
Question: What is the strategy of the Aam Aadmi Party behind protesting against farm laws?
Answer: In India, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is the only person who can have a straight talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Aam Aadmi Party believes in doing good politics. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and why no leaders are seen taking on the ruling party?
Question: Your opponents are saying that the AAP is doing political stunts?
Answer: We have supported farmers from day one. We have not shown our support for the election. The people of Delhi have accepted the politics of good works. All three laws are not for the benefit of farmers. There is a need to bring a new law on the MSP. Only then farmers will benefit. There is a need to withdraw these three laws in support of farmers and also a new law on the MSP.
Question: You are in a dual role. You have a farmer's movement, whom your party has supported, and the life of the people of Delhi, on the other hand. What would you like to say to the people of Delhi?
Answer: This war is not just about farmers. If these farm laws are implemented in any way, then along with the farmers, the general public will have to face troubles. Inflation will increase by 400 to 500 per cent and everyone will have to bear the brunt.
