In the backdrop of the ongoing negotiations between the Government and the farmers on the new farm laws passed by the Centre, the BJP on Wednesday asserted that the party's win in Rajasthan's 'panchayat samiti' and 'zila parishad' elections was a "vote of approval for agriculture reforms" by the farmers.The party claimed that the poll results also confirm people's support to the "dynamic leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
" About 2.5 crore voters- all kisan- from rural Rajasthan- voted in favour of farm reforms. Rajasthan local body elections changed the past trend of ruling party also winning local body polls," said Union information and Broadcasting and Environment Minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar.
Elections were held in 21 districts of Rajasthan for the ' 'Panchayat Samiti' and 'Zila parishad' with the BJP cornering a lion's share of the seats. On the ongoing talks on the demand of farmers, Javadekar said, " Government is talking with an open mind...samadhan hoga".
The BJP leader, however, hastened to say (while answering a question) that farmers want to "come out of the trap of the APMC system".
Addressing a press conference here along with the party General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav, the union Minister said the margin of victory of BJP candidates in Rajasthan has been big.
He said the State Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot's Tonk 'zila parishad' seat has been won by the BJP.
Pilot had recently made overtures to the BJP following his differences with the state CM Ashok Gehlot.
"Besides Pilot, four state ministers also lost saw the loss of 'Zila Parishad' seats in their respective constituencies", said Javadekar.
He listed BJP's success in Hyderabad local body elections where he said the party won 49 seats and collected more votes than the ruling 'Telangana Rashtriya Samiti' which won 55 seats.
Javadekar said after Bihar assembly victory, the BJP has won Hyderabad and Rajasthan local body polls and is also scoring victory in Arunachal Pradesh local polls.
"Despite Covid 19 , economic problems and disinformation created by the opposition on the farm laws, BJP is favourite of people .. they are standing behind the party as they know Modi is leading from the front..", claimed the BJP leader .
On the possible outcome of the government-farmers talk, Javadekar said the question should be addressed to agriculture Minister Narendra SinghTomar, leading the negotiations.
As the BJP scored over the Congress in the Rajasthan local body polls, BJP president J P Nadda also said that this victory symbolises the trust the poor, farmers and labourers have in Modi's leadership.
In a tweet, Nadda expressed his thanks to women, farmers and other rural voters in the Congress-ruled state for putting "faith" in the BJP.
The electoral success has come as a shot in the arm for the BJP at a time when its government at the Centre is locked in a tough bargaining with the protesting farmers, demanding roll-back of three central laws wich, among others, allow contract farming.