Sharad Pawar 'congratulates' Badals for exiting Akali Dal from NDA over farm bills

late-night decision of Punjab's Shiromani Akali Dal (S) to quit its longtime membership of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) drew praise from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Shar Pawar. 

core committee meeting of S took final call to part ways with NDA on Saturday over contentious farm sector reform bills that cleared Parliament last week. Sukhbir Singh Bal-led party h opposed three farm bills in Lok Sabha, leing to Cabinet minister Harsimrat Kaur Bal's resignation.

Taking to Twitter, Shar Pawar 'congratulated' Bal and Harsimrat for pulling out of NDA in protest to farmers’ Bills. "Thanks for firmly standing with Farmers!" Union Minister said. NCP has opposed bills in Parliament for being 'anti-farmer'.

Akali Dal chief n thanked Pawar in response and reaffirmed support to farmers.

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Earlier in day, Trinamool Congress also came out in support of Akalis with its Lok Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, also a fervent opponent of farm bills, tweeting: "We support Sukhbir Singh Bal and Akali Dal's stand with farmers. Fighting for farmers is part of Trinamool DNA. In 2006, Mamata Banerjee risked her life on a historic 26 day fast for farmers’ rights. We oppose #FarmBills2020 as y endanger States’ role, MSP, PDS & procurement."

Justifying its exit from NDA, S cited "Centre’s stubborn refusal" to give statutory legislative guarantees to protect assured marketing of farmers crops on MSP and its "continued insensitivity" to Punjabi and Sikh issues.

What are Farm Bills?

Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 aims at freeing  farmers from constraints of state Agriculture Produce Market Committees whereby y would be able to sell ir produce anywhere. On or hand,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 protects and empowers farmers to eng with processors, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters for farm services. se bills were passed in Rajya Sabha amid opposition ruckus on September 20. 

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