2 more JJP MLAs back protesting farmers

Chandigarh: Trouble seems to be brewing within the BJP's main coalition partner Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana with two more out of its 10 legislators coming out openly to support the protesting farmers against new farm laws they say will destroy livelihoods.

The legislators who posed a challenge to the just one-year-old post-election alliance government are Ram Kumar Gautam, the JJP's senior-most rebel, and Amarjeet Dhanda. Both have asked the Centre to withdraw the newly introduced laws. They have joined their fellow party legislator Jogiram Sihag who last month turned down the government's offer to be the Housing Board Chairman till the farm laws guarantee the MSP.

Even as the talks between the Centre and farmers on their demands remain inconclusive, Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Prakash Dalal on Sunday said that the completion of Sutlej Yamuna link (SYL) canal should also be included in the demands.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on December 9 over the ongoing farmers' protest against agrarian laws, the party said here on Sunday. NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the former Union agriculture minister will apprise Kovind of the situation in the country in the backdrop of the protest.

The representatives of thousands of agitating farmers, who are sitting on various borders of the national capital since November 26, have said their call for a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 would be observed with full force.

The NCP had staged a walk-out in the Rajya Sabha when the three farm bills were introduced in September during the Parliament's monsoon session.

Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol on Sunday said that he stands with his party and with farmers. He also said that the central government always thinks of the betterment of farmers. Taking to Twitter, Deol posted a picture of his statement on the ongoing farmers' protest.

"I request the whole world that it is matter between our farmers and the government. Do not come between them, because both will find a way after discussions. "I know that many people want to take benefits from it and are creating problems. They are not thinking of farmers. They may have their own agenda," he said.