BJP, BJD Engage In War Of Words Over Farm Law Scrapping

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the Centre’s decision to withdraw three Farm Reform laws, a war of words erupted in Odisha between the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Opposition BJP on Saturday.

The regional party said it had earlier made its stands clear on the Farm Reforms bills in the Parliament and requested the Centre to send the bills to a Select Committee for scrutiny before its implementation.

“The members of Biju Janata Dal in the Rajya Sabha had opposed implementation of the three farm laws. If there is any kind of proposal to bring reforms in the agriculture sector, the Centre, in a federal structure, should take the views of all the stakeholders,” said BJD leader and State Civil Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.  

Criticising the statement of the Minister, BJP leader and deputy leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Bishnu Sethi accused the State government of adopting double standards on the issue.

“The demand of the Opposition was the withdrawal of the Farm las. After their demand was fulfilled, they are now questioning why the laws have been scrapped? Since the Opposition parties do not have any agenda, they are making such misleading statements,” Sethi said.