NEW DELHI: Congress on Thursday took a swipe AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of “duplicity” and shedding “crocodile tears” for farmers despite being the first chief minister to notify the contentious farm laws in the year 2020.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav further alleged that the Congress party’s strong support extended to the farmers compelled the BJP government to withdraw the farm laws, and that Kejriwal played no role in this.
“The Kejriwal government, which was the first to notify the farm laws in November 2020, after it was passed by the BJP government in Parliament without any discussion, to show Kejriwal’s servitude to the BJP by betraying the farmers, was now shedding crocodile tears for the farmers with the accusation that the BJP was planning to bring back the revoked farm laws through the back door to gain some cheap political mileage with an eye on the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections,” Yadav alleged, news agency PTI reported.
He continued stating that Kejriwal’s “double standards” and “anti-farmer stand” became evident when he officially notified the farm laws while publicly claiming to support the protesting farmers.
“Kejriwal was desperate to salvage his lost image and eroded political ground by indulging in various gimmicks like Rs 2,100 for women, new health schemes for the elderly, Rs 18,000 for pujaris and granthis, which will not have any impact with the voters this time, as they remember all his past betrayals,” Yadav added.
Earlier in the day, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the BJP would bear responsibility “if something happens” to Punjab farmers who are conducting an indefinite fast regarding their demands, including statutory assurance for MSP.
Taking to X, Kejriwal alleged that the central government intends to implement the previously withdrawn farm laws “through the backdoor” by framing them as a “policy.” He added that copies of this new “policy” have been circulated to all states for their feedback.
Kejriwal accused the BJP of ignoring farmers’ protests in Punjab, where some have resorted to a fast unto death, claiming that the BJP’s arrogance has prevented any dialogue with the farmers. The AAP leader also charged that the BJP-led central government, despite agreeing to farmers’ demands three years ago, has now reneged on its promises.
Kejriwal said, “Farmers in Punjab have been sitting on dharna and indefinite hunger strike for many days. Their demands are the same which the central government had accepted three years ago but has not implemented yet.”
“Why is the BJP so arrogant that it does not even talk to anyone?,” he asked.
“May God keep the farmers who are on an indefinite protest safe, but if something happens to them, the BJP will be responsible for it,” he added.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast since November 26, refusing medical assistance to press the Centre to meet the demands of the agitating farmers.
