Punjab Congress on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the death of five people in the farmers’ agitation in the State.
“The party condemns the killings in police firing in MP,” said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Sunil Jakhar. Holding the BJP Government there responsible for “mishandling” the situation, Jakhar demanded that PM Narendra Modi seek Chouhan’s resignation.
“On one hand, the BJP Government at the Centre has promised to double the income of farmers by 2022, and on the other, bullets were fired on growers demanding debt relief,” Jakhar said.
Five people were killed on Tuesday in MP’s Mandsaur district as an agitation by farmers for debt relief and better crop prices turned violent, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in the trouble-hit area.
“What happened in MP is very sad and disturbing. The Centre should immediately ask the MP CM to step down,” the Congress leader said.
On waiving debts of farmers in Punjab, Jakhar said: “Capt Amarinder Singh-led Government is committed to honour its pre-poll promise.”
Hitting-out at the previous SAD-BJP dispensation for doing “nothing” for the welfare of farmers, he said: “They have not done anything for growers and are now questioning us on debt waiver. Capt Amarinder is the only hope for farmers in the State.”