Mamata Banerjee backs farmers' stir; WB Assembly to pass resolution against agrarian laws

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday anunced that Legislative Assembly shall be convened to pass a resolution against three farm laws. So far, Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Delhi have passed similar resolutions. Throwing her weight behind protesting farmers, she called upon Centre to repeal Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

According to her, this was necessary to protect interests of farmers as well as consumers. Accusing government of having a "political intention" for introducing laws, she again urged Union government to sit with farmers. Banerjee has talked to farmers over phone twice when a delegation of TMC MPs visited protest site.

Addressing a press conference, WB CM Mamata Banerjee remarked, "I am totally in favour of farmers. We completely agree with farmers' demands. I also urge that government should withdraw se three bills at earliest. This is in interest of country and farmers. This is necessary to save farmers, agriculture and to ensure that people don't have to purchase at more price. Orwise, you will see rates of potatoes and onions (soaring) once winter season ends. godowns were made first and  farmer bills were introduced later. It is absolutely clear that re is a political intention. That's why y are t withdrawing it. re cant be a solution by political pollution. only solution is to sit with farmers and revoke three laws."

Read: Farmers Adamant On Repeal Of Farm Laws, Protest To Continue Post 8th Round Of Talks

Read: Will Burn Copies Of New Farm Laws On Lohri: Farmer Leaders

Talks remain inconclusive

Meanwhile, stalemate over agrarian laws continued as 8th round of talks between farmers' unions and Centre could t yield any outcome. In previous deliberations, Union government had agreed t to penalise farmers for stubble burning and to continue present mechanism of giving subsided electricity for agricultural use. During meeting, farmer leaders rejected proposal to have a clause-by-clause discussion of farm laws.

y also refused to budge from demand to repeal agrarian legislation. Reportedly, unions again rejected Centre's offer to form a committee to examine agrarian laws. Moreover, re was consensus on legalising Minimum Support Price.  next round of talks will be held at 2 pm on January 8 which shall again centre around farmers' concerns over MSP and three farm laws. 

Read: Sonia Gandhi Calls Modi Govt 'arrogant', Demands 'unconditional' Repeal Of 3 Farm Laws