Ex-Haryana CM Hooda Urges Acceptance of Farmers' Demands
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Chandigarh, Jan 3 (NationPress) Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated on Friday that the health of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is critical and the BJP government should endeavor to conclude the fast by acknowledging the demands and relinquishing its obstinate attitude.
Hooda informed the media that Dallewal's life is invaluable for everyone as he is fasting not for personal gain but for the rightful demands of the farmers.
Farmers have been demonstrating at the Punjab-Haryana border in Khanauri, seeking a legal assurance for a minimum support price for their crops.
Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike has now reached its 39th day.
A high-level delegation of Punjab government officials has approached Dallewal multiple times, urging him to accept medical care despite his ongoing fast.
Two-time Chief Minister Hooda emphasized that the farmers' demands are entirely legitimate and have been longstanding.
"The BJP itself had concluded the farmer movement by assuring the minimum support price (MSP). Farmers are reminding the government of its commitment," he remarked.
"The Congress has consistently supported providing MSP to farmers under the Swaminathan formula. The BJP had also pledged to double farmers' income by implementing the Swaminathan report, but after assuming power, it neglected this promise and instead of doubling farmers' income, it has significantly increased their costs," he stated.
Hooda further added that apart from the Congress, no other political party genuinely considers farmers' interests; they merely engage in politics under the pretext of supporting farmers.
"Currently, the Union Agriculture Minister is corresponding with the Aam Aadmi Party government, yet the BJP itself fails to deliver benefits to farmers in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which farmers in Haryana experienced during the Congress administration," he noted.
"The Congress government had provided electricity to Haryana's farmers at a mere 10 paise per unit, the most affordable rate in the nation. However, such concessional rates are nonexistent in any BJP-ruled state," he concluded.
