New Delhi, Nov 29 : Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday welcomed the repeal of Farm Laws but said the government rolled back the laws passed last September only to repair the damage done ahead of the upcoming state elections.
The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 was passed by both Houses of Parliament by voice vote amid din by opposition.
“All members of the House welcome the Bill, no one opposed it. It is a farmers’ issue…” Kharge said. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendera Modi, he said, “You got enlightenment after one year, three months…., and took the Bill back”. He said all MPs have been connected with the protests directly or indirectly.
“Members of Lower and Upper House, NGOs, farmers’ groups, all protested against the Farm Laws. Everyone said it is anti-farmer, an agitation was going on but the government did not agree.
“Eventually, an atmosphere against the laws was created, the impact was also felt in the bye-elections. Now there are elections in five states, they must have thought that this is the situation in bye-elections, what would happen in the elections… 700 people have already died,” Kharge said.
Opposition parties had demanded a debate on the repeal bill. MPs of Trinamool Congress and YSRCP also held protests in the Parliament complex on the issue.
However, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said there was no need for debate on the Bill, as all MPs agreed on repealing the Laws.
The Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha through voice vote.
