Will abolish farm laws if Congress comes to power: Rahul Gandhi kickstarts tractor rally in Punjab's Moga

In protest aganist the Centre's new farm laws, Rahul Gandhi will lead tractor rallies for three days beginning Sunday.

MOGA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (October 4) kickstarted a tractor rally in Punjab's Moga district to protest against recently enacted agriculture sector reform laws. Rahul, who arrived in the district on Sunday afternoon, will lead tractor rallies for three days beginning Sunday. 

Addressing a public meeting in Badhni Kalan in Punjab's Moga district, Rahul asserted that the contentious Acts would be revoked if the Congress was voted to power. He wondered what was the hurry and need to implement these legislations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The Prime Minister says the laws are being framed for farmers. If the laws are being made for farmers, then why didn't you debate in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?" Gandhi asked.

"And if farmers are happy with these laws, then why are they agitating across the country? Why is every farmer of Punjab agitating?"

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs, Harish Rawat, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and other leaders are present at the rally. Former minister and MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had been staying away from all Congress activities, is among those present in the district.

The tractor rallies, which have been named as 'Kheti Bachao Yatra', will cover more than 50 km, spread over three days in various districts and constituencies. Farmers in Punjab have been protesting against the new farm legislations.

Farmers have expressed apprehension that the Centre's farm reforms would pave the way for the dismantling of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, leaving them at the 'mercy' of big corporates.

The government has maintained that there will be no change in the MSP.

President Ram Nath Kovind had given assent to three contentious bills -- Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill.