We exerted pressure on the government, its effects are showing, say protesting farmers

NEW DELHI: Farmers' unions said the pressure exerted by their agitation had worked with the government as both sides reached a consensus on two issues. Since their core demands remained unaddressed, the unions said they won't call off their agitation.

"We have won 50%. We are moving towards a full win and are hopeful of the three farm bills being repealed and a legal bill coming on MSP after the next meeting on January 4," farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said.

He said the government agreeing to take back the draft electricity bill and excluding farmers from the air pollution ordinance was significant.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the tractor rally of farmers on December 31 stands postponed given the "positive attitude" of the government. "Since the matter is working towards a solution, we should not adopt a very strict attitude. We have exerted pressure and it is showing. Ministers said they would like to send us home happy after the January 4 meeting," he said.

Leader Joginder Ugrahan said the government proposed a committee on the MSP issue but farmers were not ready for the same and said the government was non-committal on the issue of repealing the three laws while farmers were against amendments.

"The deadlock has been broken but we are prepared to sit on agitation for four months till our main demands are not met," farmer leader Buta Singh said.