The non-BJP ruled states as well as intellectuals have been opposing the new Agriculture Acts brought out by the Centre. Similarly, the Congress party has also been opposing the bills from the beginning. It is known that the grand old party had strongly opposed the bills like Triple Talaq, Abolition of Article 370, NRC, Citizenship Amendment Bills brought by the BJP earlier. Since the BJP has not been committal to bring new Acts and make favourable amendments, the INC is said to be devising a new strategy to halt the Act from getting implemented in the States. Special sessions of the assembly is being called for in Congress ruled states for this purpose. It may be mentioned here that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi had earlier said that they will not allow the Acts to be implemented in the party ruled States. A draft bill is in progress to this effect.
To pass the bill…
There is a provision in the Act that the States have power to decide on the date on which the Act can be implemented. There is also a tenet in the Act which prohibits businessmen to purchase the produce at a price less than the Minimum Support Price from the farmer. The Congress ruled states are taking steps to bring changes in the Central Act and pass them in the special session of the Assembly.
Mamata, KCR to follow…
It would be interesting to see whether Mamata Banerjee and KCR would also follow suit on the implementation of the farm Bills. Both Mamata and KCR have been fighting tooth and nail against the Acts brought by the Centre. States like West Bengal and Telangana are in the forefront when it comes to opposing the policies of BJP. KCR is angry over the domination of the Center on the States. The TRS has taken up protests on a large scale in the State against the new Agriculture Act. Mamata is also doing the same.
There are chances that these two States would also follow the Congress ruled states to halt the implementation of the Acts. On the other hand, the YSRCP party has already given signals that it is in favour of the Bills. Political analysts say that the party has taken this stand only to have friendly relations with BJP. As part of this, Jagan has left for New Delhi to attend the Apex Committee meeting and other programmes. There are reports that after the meeting, the party is likely to join the BJP government. It will be interesting to see who will be following the route of the Congress party and who will not.
