CHANDIGARH: Uproarious scenes were witnessed and the MLAs from BJP-JJP alliance and Congress were seen launching scathing attack on each other as the issues of farmers and the farmers' protests against three laws dominated the discussion on budget during the seventh day of budget session of Haryana assembly on Tuesday.
It were the discussions by MLAs Induraj Narwal, Kiran Choudhary and Aftab Ahmed from Congress, minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar, Aseem Goyal and Abhay Singh Yadav of BJP and Balraj Kundu, an independent MLA from Mehem which kept the atmosphere charged up, giving tough time to apeaker Gian Chand Gupta and deputy speaker Ranbir Gangwa to manage.
Notably, all this began with BJP’s Ambala city MLA Aseem Goyal who made an attempt to raise the issue related to protest at his house. He also circulated the pictures of Congress leaders near protest site while accusing the Congress MLAs of double speak.
While, the real arguments, attacks and counter attacks began after Congress MLA from Baroda Induraj Narwal, who had defeated the Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt, started his discussion on budget address.
Interestingly, Induraj directly started with the plight of farmers at Singhu, Tikri borders while accusing the Manohar Lal Khattar led BJP-JJP government of snapping water and electricity connections for them.
While using the platform, Narwal did not mince words to praise his mentors is leader of opposition Bhupinder Hooda and his Rajya Sabha MP son Deepender Hooda for their contribution towards farmers.
"300 farmers have died so far on the borders. But government could not acknowledge their deaths. Even our leader has started the financial assistance of Rs two lakh each to the kins of those who have died. Government should announce a compensation of Rs 50 lakh per family of the farmers as well as one government job," said Narwal.
While Narwal had been attacking alliance, it was parliamentary affairs minister Kanwar pal gujjar who triggered new argument by saying that, "farmers were old and had died the natural death," This ensued the war of words between Gujjar and leader of opposition Bhupinder Hooda.
Gujjar accused Congress leaders of sponsoring the agitation and shared a picture of Ambala incident. While Hooda hit back to government by saying, `` Maintaining law and order is the job of government. You are trying to pass the failure on us. Even after 300 deaths, we have not heard a single word from this government,’’ said Hooda. Meanwhile, Kiran Choudhary too joined in by saying that protests are rights of everyone, but is minister (Gujjar) wants to gag the voice.
Even as the things were settling, it was Dr Abhay Singh Yadav, who brought the issue of loss of business and trade due to farmers agitations and sealed borders. Without naming any community, Yadav categorically said that one person from a special community who had dominance among all is supporting.
This triggered the ruckus again as Congress MLAs termed it as BJP’s way of giving caste colour to the farmers agitations. This led to direct arguments among Yadav, Kadian, Hooda and Kiran Choudhary.
Lastly, it was independent MLA Balraj Kundu, who too took on alliance government over the issue of farmers. He dared the alliance ministers and MLAs to visit the farmers and give them their point of views. "Today, the resolutions are brought against those who are opposing leaders. I request CM Manohar Lal Khattar, DyCM Dushyant Chautal or any leader to accompany me to agitation spots. You shall given the stage to express your views. I assure a respect and safety but atleast you should take a step forward instead of blaming farmers," said Kundu.