The Congress party on Sunday decided to extend its support to the nationwide strike called by different farmers' groups on December 8 against the new agri laws and directed its state units to hold demonstrations in support of the bandh.
“At the forefront of the fight against the three draconian anti-farmer legislations inside Parliament as indeed outside, the Congress party will support and actively participate in the 'Bharat Bandh' called by different Kisan Unions / Organisations on December 8, 2020,” said an AICC statement issued by general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal.
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All Pradesh Congress Committees have been asked to extend their support to the strike, related activities and demonstrations in their respective states and UTs.
“The PCCs and DCCs will rally Congress workers, volunteers and leaders across the country and organise demonstrations in support of the bandh call given by farmers unions in their respective state and district headquarters,” the statement said.
Terming the farmers as the annadatas, the party said it stands in solidarity with them in their “committed and uncompromising historic” struggle against the anti-people legislations, despite “brutal state atrocities” and harsh weather conditions.
The statement claimed that the farmers' struggle is a fruition of the “relentless campaign, action and commitment” that the Congress has been undertaking through kisan sammelans, signature campaigns and tractor rallies led by party leader Rahul Gandhi.
The agitating farmers on Friday announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 and said they would occupy toll plazas on that day if their demands for repealing the agri-marketing laws are not met.
Talks between farmer leaders and Union ministers have turned out to be futile so far.
The farmers have rejected the Centre's proposal of amending the laws and have instead demanded that a special session of parliament be called to repeal the laws.
