Dushyant Chautala Reacts On Farmers Protest, Says Will Quit As Haryana Dy CM If I Fail To Ensure MSP

Chautala’s statement comes a day after the farmers agitating against the new farm laws rejected Union Government’s written assurance that the support price system will not be scrapped.

Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Reacting for the first time on the ongoing farmers' protest against the newly introduced agriculture bills passed by the Centre, Haryana Deputy CM and an important ally of BJP in the state, Dushyant Chautala on Friday promised to resign from his post if he is unable to secure the minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for farmers. Chautala's statement comes a day after the farmers agitating against the new farm laws rejected Union Government’s written assurance that the support price system will not be scrapped and insisted on the repeal of the three controversial agriculture laws. "Our party's national president already made it clear that MSP must be ensured to farmers. The written proposals given by the Central government to the protesting farmers include a provision for MSPs. I will work to secure MSP for farmers as long as I am in power. I will resign from my post the day I am unable to fulfil the promise," Chautala told news agency ANI. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) ally whose Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) formed a government in Haryana in partnership with the BJP in 2019, said he is in touch with the Centre to push for the farmers' demands. "Chaudhary Devi Lal (late former Haryana chief minister) used to say the government only listens to farmers till the time they have a partnership in the government. Today, I and my party are constantly putting the farmers' views in front of the Centre. I am in touch with the Union Minister through telephone and putting my views about the possible solutions of farmers' problem," the deputy CM added. In late November, thousands of farmers from Punjab braved water cannons and tear gas in Haryana while on their way to Delhi to protest against the controversial farm laws, which, according to them will make them vulnerable to exploitation from big corporate houses. The agitating farmers have been around the national capital for the last 16 days. The farmer union leaders have met with the Union Government for six times for talks but have not been able to come to a conclusion. While the Central Government is ready to make amendments to the law the protesting farmers are demanding to repeal the new laws. With no results coming from the meetings, the farm leaders called for “Bharat Bandh” on December 8 and have also planned to intensify the agitation over the next few days in which they have planned to block highways leading to Delhi. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said the Centre is ready to hold further discussion on farmer’s demands.