Chandigarh, March 20
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has extended his full support to the farmers while urging them to direct their protest against the Central Government. In a public statement, ETO criticized Congress for politicizing the farmers' issues and questioned their lack of action on the same during their tenure.
ETO stated, "Congress has 99 MPs in the Lok Sabha, yet they failed to raise their voice for the farmers effectively. During their rule in Punjab, how many times did they stand with the farmers? What efforts did they make when RDF funds were withheld, impacting the construction of mandi board roads? Instead of indulging in meaningless efforts, they should show solidarity with the farmers."
He reiterated AAP’s consistent commitment to supporting the farmers, emphasizing that the current issues are primarily with the Central Government. "AAP has always stood with the farmers. Today as well, we stand by their cause. This fight is against the Central Government, and it should be fought at the right platform. Blocking roads in Punjab is not a solution, as it disrupts the state's economic progress and causes inconvenience to the public," he added.
ETO also pointed out the efforts of the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in addressing the challenges faced by the state. "We have launched a war against drugs, which is yielding positive results. We are improving OPD facilities in hospitals and sending addicts to de-addiction centers for rehabilitation. Our aim is to provide them with employment opportunities after their recovery. However, blocking roads hampers the development and business environment in Punjab, affecting employment generation sources," he said.
Appealing to the farmer unions, ETO urged them to unite and present their demands collectively to the Central Government. "This is not just the farmers' fight; it is a fight for Punjab and its identity. We must remain united, just like we did in 2020 when we successfully repealed the black laws. Divided efforts will only strengthen our adversaries," he said.
He further stressed the importance of maintaining Punjab's economic and social stability. "Road blockages are causing harm to Punjab’s progress. People and industries are hesitant to engage with Punjab due to these disruptions. This, in turn, affects our ability to generate employment for our youth. I urge the farmers to ensure that their fight is focused against the Central Government, which is the real adversary," ETO said.
The Minister assured the farmers of AAP’s unwavering support. "The Punjab Government has always stood with the farmers, and we will continue to do so. We appeal to the Central Government to address the farmers' issues at the earliest. Let us work together for Punjab's economic prosperity and the welfare of our people," he concluded.