Akali Dal Demands Release of Farmer Leaders Before Chandigarh Protest
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Synopsis
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has called for the release of farmer leaders detained on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He also demands an apology from Mann for his inappropriate behavior towards the farmers, emphasizing the need for accountability ahead of the planned protest in Chandigarh.
Key Takeaways
- Bikram Singh Majithia demands release of arrested farmer leaders.
- Bhagwant Mann criticized for threatening kisan leaders.
- Pre-dawn arrests aimed at disrupting protests.
- Mann's past behavior raises concerns about his leadership.
- Farmers remind Mann of unfulfilled promises.
Chandigarh, March 4 (NationPress) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday urged the release of farmer leaders who were detained at the behest of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He also called for an apology from Mann for his threatening demeanor and disrespectful behavior towards them.
Expressing disbelief at the treatment of leaders from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), who were invited for discussions by the Chief Minister on Monday, Majithia stated: "Mr. Bhagwant Mann threatened the kisan leaders with severe repercussions when they reminded him of his commitments to farmers made prior to his appointment as Chief Minister in 2022."
This was followed by raids and the detention of farmer leaders in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, aimed at disrupting the week-long protest they had scheduled in Chandigarh starting from March 5.
Majithia asserted that the Chief Minister's ongoing erratic conduct was damaging the reputation of Punjab and its people, claiming in a statement that "recently, during a visit to Hoshiarpur, the Chief Minister displayed unprofessional behavior towards an IPS officer and spoke rudely to the Deputy Commissioner."
"His past behaviors, including his drunken antics on a Lufthansa flight from which he was removed, are well-documented," he added.
Reminding Mann of the promises he made to farmers, the Akali leader stated: "Mann assured farmers and farm laborers that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would revamp agricultural policies to prevent any farm suicides in the state."
He also guaranteed that farm income would be increased and that his government would implement the M.S. Swaminathan Report, regardless of whether the Centre did so. Farmers were promised that every crop would be procured by the state at a minimum support price (MSP), he noted.
Majithia maintained that the Chief Minister has failed to uphold every commitment made to the farmers, stating: "When reminded of these promises, he resorted to threatening the farmers and chose to exit the meeting instead of confronting them."
