Shivraj Chouhan slams 'hypocrisy' of Congress over farm laws, cites Pawar's 2011 letter

Slamming Congress-led Opposition over ir stance on farm laws, Mhya Presh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, revealed that NCP chief Shar Pawar h written to him in 2011, seeking amendment in existing APMC act. Detailing on letter written by Shar Pawar, who was Union Agriculture Minister n, MP CM stated Congress has taken a 'complete U-turn' w that NDA government has implemented exactly what Congress h been seeking. Chouhan also accused Congress of instigating farmers for ir political benefit and assured that MSP will t be abolished. 

dressing a press conference on Monday in Hyderab, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Today I'll expose hypocrisy of Congress and or political parties including DMK, AAP, SP, Akali Dal, TMC, Left parties on farm laws. Congress' ship is sinking which is why y are misleing farmers to save ir politics. I am presenting a letter to you today by Shar Pawar, which he h written to me in 2011. I was Mhya Presh CM n, Shar Pawar was Agriculture Minister and Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister." 

"re is a need to amend present APMC act on lines of model APMC act, 2003 in order to encour private sector investment in marketing, infrastructure and providing alternate competing marketing channels in overall interests of farmers, consumers and agriculture tre," MP CM quoted from Shar Pawar's letter to him in 2011.

RE | As Agri Minister Shar Pawar Wanted APMC Act Amended; So Did Unions: BJP Claims Duplicity

"After that, Sonia Gandhi - Chairperson of UPA - Congress h supported APMC model act to which she agreed and so did PM Manmohan Singh. In ir election manifesto of 2019, Congress also stated that it would amend APMC act. On December 27, 2013, Rahul Gandhi h stated that as per APMC act y would de-list fruits and vegetables produce but today when we are doing same thing, Congress is trying to instigate farmers. APMC act allows farmers to sell ir produce outside APMC mandis," he ded. 

Highlighting PM Modi's repeated assurance on MSP, Chouhan assured that MSP will t be terminated 'at any cost'. 

"Government stands with farmers. It will clarify ir doubts and resolve ir issues. We won’t spare those elements who may try to create chaos in country under cover of farmers’ protest," he said.

Chouhan's full briefing: 

RE | 11 Opposition Parties Lend Support To Bharat Bandh Call, Demand Withdrawal Of Farm Laws

Congress supports Bharat Bandh

On Sunday, 11 Opposition parties, including Congress, RJD and NCP lent ir support to Bharat Bandh call issued by farmers' unions on December 8, as a part of ir agitation against three farm laws introduced by Centre earlier in September this year. In a press statement released from CPI(M) office, Opposition parties have expressed ir solidarity with ongoing protest by farmers and have demanded withdrawal of three agrarian laws and Electricity Amendment Bill. 

RE | Farmers' Unions State 'Bharat Bandh Till 3 Pm, Will Allow Emergency Services' Amid Protest

"se new agri-laws passed in Parliament in a brazen anti-democratic manner preventing a structured discussion and voting, threaten India's food security, destroy Indian agriculture and our farmers, lay basis for abolishment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mortg Indian agriculture and our markets to caprices of multi-national agri-business corporates and domestic corporates," statement re. 

RE | NCP Responds As BJP Cites Shar Pawar's Past Farm Reform Push; Says 'tried For Consensus'

impasse between Centre and farmers' unions continues as fifth round of talks on Saturday ended inconclusively. next round of deliberations has been scheduled for December 9. dressing media on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar asserted that Minimum Support Price system will continue, he expressed that Centre's willingness to dress concerns regarding this. Moreover, Tomar stated that Union government will deliberate on all demands of farmers. He highlighted initiatives of Modi government for ensuring welfare of farmers and reiterated that it h intention of abolishing Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees.