Nationalist Congress Party president and former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar hit out at the Modi government in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, saying that its attempt to “negotiate” with the Opposition leaders on the Land Bill smacked of “arrogance.”
Takes objection to Gadkari’s letterParticipating in a discussion on “Agrarian crisis and farmer suicides,” Mr. Pawar protested against the tone and tenor of a letter received by him from Union Minister for Shipping and Transport Nitin Gadkari on the reasons for bringing the ordinance.
“Such a letter was sent to the Congress president, the Left parties and other leaders too,” he said.
Quoting from the letter, the NCP chief said Mr. Gadkari was given the responsibility of talking to Opposition leaders and this is what “my friend” wrote: “You do not agree with the government on the law it wants to bring — that is your right. But should farmers not get water for irrigation? Should villages not prosper? Is security not important? The changes we want to bring in the law are in this context for which you do not want to do anything.”
Objection to the ‘language’Taking objection to the “language” used in the letter, Mr. Pawar asked if that was the language of dialogue and negotiation. “If the government of the day wants to create a consensus on any issue it must carry all people along. Ultimately we all want to resolve the issues facing the country.”
