Jayram Describes Narendra Modi As “ Duryodhan” For Refusing Land To Farmers, Urges BJD To Oppose Land Bill
06 April, Bhubaneswar
The Senior Congress leader Jayram Ramesh Monday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “ Duryodhan “ of Mahabharat for refusing to give land to farmers , who are “Pandavas”.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhawan here , Ramesh urged the ruling Biju Janata Dal in Odisha not to support the proposed land acquisition (amendment) bill to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
“If the BJD believes in farmers, tribals and democracy, it must oppose the amendments in the bill, which is against the farmers and democracy.”, he said.
However, Ramesh expressed his doubt over the commitments of BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik alleging that BJP and BJD were two sides of same coin.
“There may be a deal that BJD will give its support to land and mining bills and BJP will protect the regional party in the chit fund issue,” he said, adding that his party was not depending on the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD to defeat the land acquisition bill in the Rajya Sabha.
“But here is an opportunity for him to stand up to support the anti-farmer and anti-democracy legislation. The chief minister, who is claiming to be working for farmers, must show his commitment,” said Ramesh.
“I request the Odisha chief minister to wake up and see what is happening. His friend Narendra Modi is destroying the Forest Rights Act, which is fundamental to the welfare of the tribals in the state,” he said.
Stating that his party would continue to oppose the controversial land bill Ramesh said Congress wants the amendments to be rolled back by the Centre in the interest of farmers. Congress leader alleged that Modi government was anti-farmer and pro-private companies in the matter of land acquisition.
Ramesh said the amendments proposed in the land bill would do away with clauses in the 2013 Act such as consent of 80 percent of farmers, Social Impact Assessment and payment of compensation with retrospective effect in case of the farmers who did not accept it as per the 1894 Act.
Congress party is also opposed to removal of the clause which stipulates that the land acquired from the farmers would go back to them if it is not utilised for the intended purpose within five years, and giving rights to the government to acquire land up to one kilometre on either side of industrial corridors for handing it over to private developers.