Chandigarh, Dec 9 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday congratulated the farmers for their historic victory whereby they had not only forced the BJP-led Central government to repeal the three agricultural laws, but had also paved the way for making the minimum support price (MSP) a legal right.
In a statement here, the SAD President said the win on the borders of Delhi was a win for the entire farming community of the country.
"The 'annadaata' has given a clear-cut message to the rulers of the country that no laws can be framed on agriculture without taking them into confidence."
Badal also welcomed the decision of the farmers to return back to their homes in Punjab, saying "Your steadfast resolve as well as the peaceful and democratic manner in which you conducted your one-year long agitation will be remembered for years to come. Farmers of tomorrow will remember the sacrifices made by you today."
He also commemorated the deaths of 800 farmers who sacrificed their lives for the common good.
Asserting that SAD had done its utmost for the Kisani Sangharsh and would continue to fight for the rights of the farming community, Badal said: "We resigned from the Union ministry and even quit the NDA when we realised the Central government was not sincere towards farmers and was not addressing their apprehensions. SAD workers supported the Kisani Sangharsh wholeheartedly and will stand with farmers always."
Sharing details, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota said keeping in view the recent recoveries of RDX, hand grenades and pistols from the border district, strong barricading has been done.
The BJP, which is likely to contest the Punjab assembly polls on its own for the first time after its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked away, will be banking on leaders from the opposition parties and prominent personalities to make its electoral presence felt in the state. In the last assembly polls in 2017, the BJP had won only three out of the 23 seats it contested.
Slamming Amarinder Singh for his "myopic" mindset towards the poor, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said on Friday that the former CM targeted him because he had raised issues of the common man.
Accepting a farm activist's revocation application to revoke the varietal registration of Pepsico India Holding on potato variety FL-2027, The Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Authority on Friday revoked the registration, the multinational had. Even at the global level, this is the first time that the multinational had to face such a defeat.
Days after the Parliament repealed the three contentious farm laws, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will be holding a crucial meeting on Saturday to discuss whether to end the over-an-year- old agitation, among other issues. The meeting will be held at the Singhu Border camp site, which acted as the headquarters for the SKM.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced to provide high quality free education to the children of Punjab in government schools, if his party forms the government.
