Defeat of arrogance, says oppn, seeks law on MSP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi's decision to withdraw the farm bills is a victory for the farmers and the defeat of his arrogance, the Congress and Left parties said on Friday. Hailing the year-long protests, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the farmers for the "win against injustice" and said farmers "compelled the arrogant government to bend down through satyagraha."

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said she hoped the government would take a more collaborative approach to policy decisions regarding the farm sector in future.

"I hope the prime minister and the BJP government will leave aside their Rajhath (stubbornness) and arrogance and pay attention on implementing policies of farmers welfare, ensure

MSP

and evolve a consensus with state governments, farmer organisations and opposition parties before taking any such step in future," she said. Congress announced that it will would celebrate November 20 as Kisan Vijay Diwas by joining farmers in celebrations and visiting families of those "martyred".

CPM hailed the courageous farm struggle and the leadership of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha for its persistence. CPM general secretary

Sitaram Yechury

emphasised that the PM made no assurance of MSP, which was the main demand of the farm struggle. "This (MSP) was an issue when the PM was CM of Gujarat and had written to the then central government that the MSP should be a legal entitlement. So, there is no need for committees. Committees mean more delay and in effect means denied," he said. CPI demanded compensation for the farmers killed in the yearlong protests.