New Delhi: Even before entering Vigyan Bhawan for the sixth round of talks with the government, farmers’ leaders made it clear that the only way forward to the resolve the deadlock was the repeal the three contentious farm laws.
Rakesh Tikait,, leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), maintained that the farmers would not settle for less than annulling the three new farm laws and giving legal status to MSP.
He said the solution for ending the stalemate is in the hands of the government now,
On being asked what would be the plan forward, he said the stir would further intensify with more demonstrations and ‘the movement will be stepped up if their demands are not met.’
Speaking to reporters before the talks began he made it it clear that farmers would not settle for less than their demands to end the agitation.
The Government has invited 40 farmer organisations for the sixth round of talks and has said that it will
sit with an open mind and clean intention.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ agitation entered 35th day while more peasants continued to join their counterparts on borders.
Till late Tuesday no apparent solution was in sight as the striking farmers’ unions wrote to the Centre sticking to their demand of repeal of the three laws and saying the talks should be strictly limited to the agenda they have specified earlier. The unions said the talks would be held only on the modalities of repealing the three laws and giving a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The talks were expected to be held on December 29 after the farmers organizations had sent a proposal to the government. However, the government in a communication invited the farmers for talks on December 30. The farmers accepted the government’s suggestion.
No compromise on our demands; roll back of farm law is our clear demand: Farmers’ leader
