In solidarity with the agitating farmers, nearly 15 parties, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, DMK chief MK Stalin, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Left Front’s Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, extended their “wholehearted” support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8 called by the protesting farmers.
On Sunday, a joined statement signed by the heads of all 11 parties said the contentious farm laws were passed by the Parliament without any in-depth discussions and scrutiny. A joint statement supporting the nationwide Bandh call was issued by Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with leaders of 10 parties from Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The joint statement said, “We extend our solidarity with the ongoing massive struggle by the Indian farmers organised by various Kisan organisations from across the country and extend our support to their call for a Bharat Bandh on December 8 demanding the withdrawal of these retrograde agri-laws and the Electricity Amendment Bill.”
Besides, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing him to initiate necessary steps to repeal the contentious farm laws.
Reportedly, Kerala is likely to be excluded from the Bharat Bandh in the wake of the local body elections on December 8. Earlier, KN Balagopal, Kerala Karshaka Sangham state secretary, said they are not planning to put the public in hardship amidst the election. But they would find an alternative way to express their solidarity with the protesting farmers. They will decide it following discussions with other farmer groups, he added.
On Saturday, after the fifth round of talks between the Centre and protesting farmers, All India Kisan Federation president Prem Singh Bhangu said, “It will be an emphatic Bharath Bandh on December 8.”
As per reports, Bharat Bandh is likely to affect various sectors. Taxi and auto services are likely to be disrupted in other states since many unions have decided to join hands to support the agitating farmers. Similarly, banking services will also be affected since several bank unions have expressed their solidarity with protesting farmers. The supply of milk and vegetables is likely to take a hit tomorrow in other states.
