Azam ‘silences’ BJP protests over farmers’ problems

Asks MLAs to protest against Land Acquisition Bill first.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators on Monday had to call off their protest in the Assembly against the SP government over the plight of farmers following the recent hailstorms, as state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan said they should also oppose the land acquisition amendment Bill being discussed in the Parliament.

The protesting BJP members who were in the well silently returned to their seats when Azam said that their claims for farmers’ plight would be justified only if the BJP MLAs oppose the amendment to the land acquisition Bill also introduced by the central government.

As the House assembled this morning, BJP members trooped in the well with their leader Suresh Khanna protesting against poor law and order situation in the state. Raising slogans against the state government, he cited figures claiming that 33 people were killed on Holi while over 500 were injured.

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Meanwhile, BJP’s senior MLA Satish Mahana also raised farmers’ issues during the protest, claiming that farmers have suffered heavy losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorm across the state and they should be adequately compensated. Mahana also demanded a separate discussion on farmers’ plight.

Replying to Mahana, Azam Khan claimed that the BJP leaders have come with a plan to protest for farmers’ conditions so that news about land acquisition Bill in the Parliament is subdued for the day.

“They are creating an atmosphere for it by shedding crocodile tears for farmers. They are anti-farmer and give land to industrialists,” he claimed.

Azam also said if BJP legislators oppose the Centre’s land acquisition Bill, their demands for farmers in the state will be considered.

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BJP leader Suresh Khanna, however, protested by stating that issues which are not related to the Assembly should not be raised. But, Azam maintained his attack on the BJP by saying that preparations are on to snatch lands of farmers and give to the Adani Group.

Left with no choice, BJP MLAs silently returned to their seats calling off their protest.

Earlier, BSP members led by leader of opposition Swami Prasad Maurya too raised the issue of law and order in the state. Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey stated that the issue can be raised during Zero Hour, but BSP MLAs lodged a protest and staged a walkout from the Assembly.

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