Political leaders cutting across party lines have welcomed the Centre’s announcement of the withdrawal of three contentious farm laws.
Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said the move was a victory for farmers’ unity.
He said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was the first to oppose the farm laws, and had passed a resolution against them in the Assembly. As promised in the DMK’s election manifesto, a separate Budget for agriculture was tabled and, now, the farm laws had been withdrawn, he said. [The DMK had promised to fight for the repeal of the three laws].
Asked whether the withdrawal of the laws would work in favour of the BJP, Mr. Panneerselvam said they were withdrawn as the BJP had suffered severe losses in byelections and feared further losses in the upcoming Assembly elections in certain States.
Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru said the laws could have been withdrawn long ago, and the decision was a boon to farmers. He added that farmers faced severe hardships for over a year and "over 50 farmers died" during the protests. He charged that the laws wouldn't have been passed if the AIADMK had not supported it.
