Yogi Adityanath defends UP govt over agitation

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath slipped into a damage control mode on Tuesday evening on the issue of farmers’ agitation and in a hurriedly convened press conference he claimed that the BJP had done the maximum for farmers.

In a veiled attack on the agitating farmers on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, the chief minister said that no one would be allowed to threaten the law and order situation.

The CM criticised Opposition parties for supporting the farmers’ agitation. “Some of these leaders cannot differentiate between a potato and sugarcane and do not have even the basic knowledge of agriculture,” he said.

Mr Adityanath said that it was for the first time since Independence that the BJP had brought the farmers’ issues on the political agenda.

“Majority of the farmers’ demands have already been addressed by my government. We have allocated Rs 120 crores for building cow sheds to keep stray cows,” he added. and we have also ensured maximum payment of cane arrears,” Mr Adityanath said.

Meanwhile, BSP national president Mayawati hit out at the BJP government at the Centre and the states for using force against the agitating farmers.

She said that Tuesday’s development showcased  the anti-farmer policies and attitude of the BJP government and proved that all their promises to the farmers have remained unfulfilled which forced the farmers to take to the streets.