Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 7

Senior BJP leader and former Cabinet minister Anil Joshi has launched a crusade against his own party. Showing solidarity with the anti-farm laws protesters, he said the stalemate was created due to the utter failure of the party’s state unit to convey the cause of the farmers to the Centre.

Talking to The Tribune, he said the Centre’s adamant attitude of not relenting to farmers’ demands would cost the party dearly. “When would we wake up? Breaking the Covid-19 norms, farmers along with their families, are risking their lives on the Delhi borders. Around 500 farmers have died. My conscience pricks me,” he said.

Joshi believed it was the responsibility of state BJP leaders to act as an intermediary between farmers and the Centre to resolve the issues.

“I won’t say that the farm laws are pro or against farmers, but there must be some shortcomings which have invited their ire. Despite the multiple rounds of meetings, the stand-off prevails,” he said, adding, “I presume that our state leadership is not capable of taking a stand apparently for the fear of losing their positions.”