Congress Announces ‘MSP Ki Legal Guarantee’ In First Poll Promise For Lok Sabha Election 2024

The announcement came on a day thousands of farmers called for a Delhi Chalo protest and the capital became a virtual fortress with authorities stopping them entering the city.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

Source : PTI Images

In response to Prime Minister Modi's "Modi ki guarantees," the Congress party announced a series of "Congress ki guarantees," including the legal assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers if the party secures victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi addressed the ongoing farmers' march towards Delhi, expressing concern over their treatment and emphasising the demand for the implementation of the MS Swaminathan report, which recommends legal rights to MSP. Gandhi stated, "When the I.N.D.I.A government comes to power, we will give the guarantee of MSP to the farmers of India, fulfilling what the Swaminathan report mentioned". 

#WATCH | Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "Today, the farmers are marching towards Delhi. They are being stopped, tear gas shells are being used on them...What are they saying? They are just asking for the fruits of their labour. BJP Government announced… pic.twitter.com/lnB0mzOdTi

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2024

Kharge, speaking at an event in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur, aimed BJP, stating, "We call it Congress Guarantee while he says Modi Guarantee. With so much arrogance, just think, do they believe in democracy".

VIDEO | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: "Today, PM Modi is saying 'guarantee, guarantee'; the first page of newspaper reads 'Modi ki guarantee'. We call it Congress Guarantee while he says Modi Guarantee. With so much arrogance, just think, do they believe in democracy?" says Congress… pic.twitter.com/EIGIZ2WVKB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2024

छत्तीसगढ़ में कांग्रेस ने लोकसभा चुनाव 2024 की पहली गारंटी की घोषणा की—

कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष ⁦@kharge⁩ ने कहा- कांग्रेस की सरकार आई तो “किसानों को MSP की लीगल गारंटी हम देंगे” pic.twitter.com/2bIA43OED2

— रंजीता झा डडवाल Ranjeeta Jha Dadwal (@ranjeetadadwal) February 13, 2024

Kharge Slams Modi Govt For Curbing 'Voice Of Farmers': 

Earlier in the day, Kharge accused the Modi government of "crushing the voice of farmers" by failing to keep promises made to them over a decade.

His attack on the government occurred on a day when thousands of farmers called for a Delhi Chalo protest, and the capital became a virtual fortress, with authorities barring them from entering the city.

"Barbed wire, tear gas from drones, nails and guns... everything is in place.

"The dictatorial Modi government is attempting to silence farmers' voices," the Congress chief wrote on X.

कँटीले तार, ड्रोन से आँसू गैस, कीले और बंदूक़ें… सबका है इंतज़ाम,

तानाशाही मोदी सरकार ने किसानों की आवाज़ पर जो लगानी है लगाम !

याद है ना “आंदोलनजीवी” व “परजीवी” कहकर किया था बदनाम, और 750 किसानों की ली थी जान ?

10 सालों में मोदी सरकार ने देश के अन्नदाताओं से किए गए अपने… pic.twitter.com/9iUAzFeXgg

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 13, 2024

"Remember how the farmer was defamed by calling him 'andolanjeevi' and 'parasite' and 750 farmers lost their lives," he wrote in Hindi.

Kharge claimed that the Modi government has broken three promises made to the country's food providers over the last decade. He added that these included doubling farmers' income by 2022, implementing input costs plus 50% as recommended by the Swaminathan report, and granting legal status to MSPs.

Kharge expressed full support for the farmers' movement, stating that the Congress will today raise the voice of justice for farmers at an event in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh.

"We will not be afraid, will not bow down," Kharge further said in his post.