Left's Sitaram Yechury alleges Centre repealed farm laws in light of upcoming elections

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement repealing three farm laws, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed on Friday that decision was me in light of upcoming Assembly elections in five states early next year. He went on to call declaration by Centre a "win of Samyukta Kisan Morcha's year-long battle."

In an interview with news agency ANI, Yechury stated, "After one year, PM Modi came to know that people are not accepting this law. This is victory of bravery with which Samyukta Kisan Morcha fought for one year against se laws. More than 750 farmers were martyred, and PM did not speak a word about this martyrdom."

"re is no condolence about atrocities committed on farmers in manner in which y have been oppressed in Lakhimpur Kheri. Since past one year, Centre kept on saying that agriculture laws would not be withdrawn, but now government withdrew m keeping Assembly elections in mind," claimed Yechury.

Sitaram Yechury after Centre's U-turn on farm laws

Yechury also dubbed  Centre's decision to repeal three farm legislation as a "historic win for farmers" who h been campaigning for a year.

Yechury stated, "Today, Prime Minister must recognise that our Annatas are ones who have won this historic victory. Our farmers, as well as those who have suffered until now, have never given up or looked back, refore we commend ir fortitude in achieving such a historic victory."

"Now that three farm regulations have been repealed, our Annata demands that farmers be granted legal authority to sell agricultural products at MSP. This right will have to be enacted into law by Parliament," he demanded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Friday that three Central agriculture laws would be repealed. In his dress to nation, PM Modi said, "Today I want to tell everyone that we have decided to repeal all three farm laws." 

Three Farm Laws

Since Centre's three agricultural regulations were passed in 2020, farmers have been resisting m. following are three agriculture laws: Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act establishes a framework that allows farmers to sell farm products outside of APMCs. Farmers can sell ir produces to any licenced dealer at mutually agreed upon pricing. mandi tax levied by state governments will not apply to this tring of farm commodities. Farmers can do contract farming and freely market ir products under Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act modifies previous Essential Commodities Act.

(with inputs from ANI)

Image: PTI/ANI