Ahead of the call given for ‘Bharat Bandh’, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has urged BJP leaders in Punjab to quit the party and stand with farmers in support of their cause against Centre’s farm laws.
AAP Punjab State president and Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant Mann also accused the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) of sabotaging the farmers movement. “The Congress and SAD along with the BJP had been working on an agenda to derail the farmers movement from the very beginning in order to facilitate the corporate houses to have their way,” he said.
“The farmer is fighting for his survival, while the Central government is being adamant. At such a critical juncture, we must all rise above petty politics and come in open support of the annadaata, listening to the voice of our conscience,” he added.
Mr. Mann said that BJP Lok Sabha member from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol has betrayed the people of Punjab and Gurdaspur. He said the controversial statement made by him was completely reprehensible. “Mr. Deol should make it clear that he was with the people, especially farmers, who voted for him or with the BJP, which was hell bent on ruining the farmers,” said Mr. Mann.
Mr. Mann said the intentions of the BJP-led Central government were not pro-farmer, which was why the issue has been lingering on for months. “On the one hand the government was continuing the dialogue with the farmers, on the other hand the BJP had launched a concerted campaign to justify the black laws,” he said.
