A day after threatening the State Government of intensifying farmers’ stir if demands of loan waiver and hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) were not met, Congress State chief Raj Babbar held a chaupal at Hamirpur in Bundelkhand region on Tuesday.
“People of Bundelkhand have always been tolerant and silently bore the brunt even as the region underwent years of drought and poverty. Yet the people stick to farming. It is a matter of concern that now since the BJP governments at the Centre and states have adopted anti-farmer policy just to please few industrialists friends. left with no option, farmers are committing suicide,” said Babbar
“Both Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi have ignored issues related to farmers,” alleged the State Congress chief highlighting how the two regimes failed to fulfill promises of giving 50 per cent profit to farmers over the cost of produce and waiving off farm loans. “It was sad to meet families of farmers who ended their lives after facing harassment for non-repayment of loans,” said Babbar, who met families of four farmers who recently ended their lives in Hamirpur district.
The Congress leader said: “I just want to ensure farmers that they should not surrender or commit suicide under pressure of debts or not getting good return for their produce. The Congress under Rahul Gandhi will fight their battle till the government concedes to fulfill their promises made during campaigning in last Parliament and Assembly elections,” asserted Babbar.
Just on Monday, Babbar during a press conference in lucknow had confirmed to intensify the struggle for farmers and that Rahul Gandhi would also join them.