Delhi CM visits farmers at Delhi border, extends support to Bharat Bandh

Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, who visited the Singhu border on December 7 to check arrangements for thousands of farmers who are protesting against the Government of India’s new farm laws, said the AAP government stood with them. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had extended its support to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by farmers’ organisations on December 8.

“We support all demands of farmers. Their issue & demands are valid. My party & I have stood with them from the very beginning. At the beginning of their protests, Delhi Police had sought permission to convert nine stadiums into jails. I was pressured but didn’t permit.” On Sunday, Kejriwal had said that all AAP workers across the country will support the nationwide strike and appealed to all citizens to support the farmers.

With some auto and taxi unions in New Delhi decided to join ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8 called by farmer unions protesting against the recent farm laws commuters may face problems. However, many other unions have decided to continue normal service despite their support to demand raised by the farmers. Delhi Taxi Tourist Transporters Association President Sanjay Samrat said in a statement that several unions, including Delhi State Taxi Cooperative Society, and Kaumi Ekta Welfare Association will join the strike on December 8. Representaives of various bus and taxi associations on Sunday visited the protesters at Singhu border to extend their support to them, Samrat said.

Kamaljeet Gill, president of Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, comprising mainly drivers working with cab aggregators, said it will also join the strike on Tuesday. However, Rajender Soni, general secretary of Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh, and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union said that many “important” auto, taxi and last mile vehicle driver unions will not join the strike.

The Congress, TRS, DMK and the AAP joined other opposition parties in extending support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8 called by farmer unions which have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for 11 days demanding repeal of the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws. The Trinamool Congress, RJD and the Left parties, besides a joint platform of 10 central trade unions, had on Saturday backed the countrywide strike.

Sharad Pawar, NCP chief and former union agriculture minister, warned the Federal Government that if the deadlock continues, the agitation will not be limited to Delhi and people from across the country will stand by the protesting farmers. Expressing the Congress’ “wholehearted” support to the strike call, party spokesperson Pawan Khera said it will hold protests that day at all district and state headquarters in solidarity with the demands of the farmers.

Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, he said former party chief Rahul Gandhi, through tractor rallies, signature campaigns and Kisaan rallies, has been raising the party’s voice in support of the farmers.