The BJP's ruling coalition partner in Haryana, the Jannayak Janata Party, on Tuesday suggested that the Centre should give a written assurance to farmers that the minimum support price system will continue.
The remark by JJP president Ajay Chautala comes on the day independent MLA Sombir Sangwan withdrew support to the BJP-led government in the state, also expressing support for the farmers against the new farm laws.
The farmer unions say the three agri-marketing laws enacted by the BJP-led government at the Centre in September will lead to the dismantling of the MSP system.
While the Centre has said the MSP system will continue, many protesting farmers are seeking an assurance “in writing”, if not a repeal of the new laws. Some are suggesting an amendment to the laws, adding the assurance.
Chautala said the assurance on the MSP has been repeatedly made by the Centre, including by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
“So what is the harm in adding and writing that line,” the former MP told reporters in Sirsa, shortly before the talks between farmers and the Centre began in Delhi.
“The Centre has invited farmers for talks and we want that there should be a solution to this at the earliest. We have requested those in the government that a solution to the farmers' problems should be found,” Ajay Singh Chautala said.