After 17 months of demonstrations, the government reversed course on three critical agricultural legislation, giving opposition, including the BJP’s erstwhile Punjab ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, a “told-you-so” moment. Due to disputes over agricultural regulations, the Akali Dal withdrew its lone minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, from the ruling NDA last year. “I have warned PM Modi about the dark laws,” Sukhbir Singh Badal said today, dismissing the notion of a tie-up in Punjab, where the party is anticipating a return to power.
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The Akali Dal head reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s revocation of the agricultural legislation, calling it “one of his largest policy reversals ever.” “Farmers’ protests have claimed the lives of 700 people. These guys were martyred in front of the eyes of the entire country. I had informed the Prime Minister that the farmers would not accept the government’s dark legislation.” He is overheard stating, “What we said turned out to be true.” When asked if his party can now consider forming a coalition with the BJP in Punjab, he responds emphatically “no.”
Earlier today, Parkash Singh Badal, the patriarch of the Akali Dal, lashed out at the government shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s major announcement in a national speech. Last month, eight persons, including four farmers, were reportedly driven over by Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son, Ashish, in Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh, eliciting widespread outrage.
“It was the first time in democratic history when rash and callous legislation were enacted without consultation with stakeholders “Further, the former Punjab Chief Minister stated. The Akali Dal has pressed the government multiple times in the last year to have discussions with farmers camped outside Delhi’s borders.
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Demonstrations were also led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife Harsmirat Kaur, and a number of other party officials. Harsimrat Kaur, a former Union Minister, criticised the centre in a tweet today. She also called for the minimum support price for agricultural produce to be become a “legal right” for farmers.
