The Bahujan Samaj Party launched its country-wide agitation against the amendments proposed in the Land Acquisition Act with a massive show of strength in Uttar Pradesh were dharna and demonstrations were held at the 75 district headquarters on Monday. The protest in Uttar Pradesh marked the first phase of the BSP’s country-wide agitation with similar demonstrations to be held in other States on May 2.
The Samajwadi Party Government which is in power in Uttar Pradesh was targeted for the poor law and order situation and the neglect of the farmers affected by the unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
Since the BSP president, Mayawati was in Rajya Sabha in connection with the ongoing Budget session, the party’s protest demonstration in the State was led by senior leaders. While the Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Parishad, Naseemuddin Siddiqui led the dharna in Lucknow, the demonstration in Rae Bareli was led by the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Swami Prasad Maurya. The State president of the BSP, Ramachal Rajbhar led the protest in Ambedkarnagar. In the other districts the dharna and demonstration was spearheaded by other BSP leaders.
Speakers slammed the NDA Government’s move to amend the Land Acquisition Law which they said is aimed to benefit the capitalists, rich industrialists and businessmen. It was stressed by the BSP that the amendments were anti-farmer. The Narendra Modi Government was blamed for amending the 2013 Land Acquisition Act in an arbitrary manner.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party were both accused of supporting the cause of the rich class. Neither the BJP, nor the SP were interested in the welfare of the poor, labourers, farmers, Dalits, OBCs and the religious minorities, it was emphasized by the speakers. The announcements made by the SP Government in the State and the BJP-led Government at the Centre were termed as hollow. The BSP said to give a right direction to development, the fruits of development have to percolate down to the poor and the farmers with a consequential increase in their incomes.
A release issued by the State unit of the BSP said the next phase of the party’s agitation would be held in the other States on May 2.
