PM Modi questions NCP Chief Sharad Pawar for U-Turn on Farm Laws

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while replying to the President’s Address, attacked Congress and NCP President Sharad Pawar over agricultural laws. He accused the opposition of taking a U-turn on farm laws.

“Sharad Pawar ji, and those from Congress, all governments have stood for agricultural reforms. Whether they were able to do it or not, but everyone has advocated that it should be done,” he said.

“It’s fine that you (opposition) are attacking the government on the protests but you should have also told the farmers that change is necessary for development,” PM Modi added during his speech today.

He added “Agriculture Minister Tomar is talking to farmers and trying to convince them. There is no tension yet. It is your right to agitate, but it is not right for elderly farmers to sit there. The farmers can withdraw the agitation and talks can be held democratically”. Modi also appealed that the path is going to be solved through discussions.

PM Modi also asserted that MSP (Minimum Support Price) was there, and will also remain in the future.

He also quoted former PM Dr , commenting that “at least they will listen to him if not me” on reforms. “Manmohan ji had talked about giving a free market to farmers and make India a large common market,” he said. “Manmohan ji is here, I’d read out his quote. Those taking a U-Turn (on farm laws) will perhaps agree with him. ‘There are other rigidities because of marketing regime set up in the 1930s which prevent our farmers from selling their produce where they get the highest rate of return. It is our intention to remove all those handicaps which come in the way of India realising its vast potential at one large common market’,” the PM added.