On Tuesday, the Congress party announced that it would ensure the Minimum Support Price (MSP) becomes a legal right for farmers if elected to power in the 2024 elections. This declaration was made amidst a turbulent scenario where farmers, advocating for their longstanding demands, faced severe opposition as they attempted to march towards Delhi.
The confrontation they encountered was marked by extreme measures, including the erection of concrete boulders and barbed wire barriers to prevent their entry into the capital, the deployment of nails on roads, and the use of tear gas by law enforcement to disperse the crowds. These actions were taken under the governance of BJP-led administrations.
The decision by Congress to make this promise was initially intended to be a highlight of its election manifesto for the upcoming 2024 elections. However, the immediate and widespread public outrage triggered by the harsh treatment of the farmers, evidenced by the disturbing visuals of their thwarted march and the aggressive tactics used against them, prompted the party to make an early announcement.
Video Credit: Congress YouTube Channel
The Congress’s pledge to provide a legal guarantee for MSP is seen as a direct response to these events, aiming to address the farmers’ grievances and align with the widespread public sentiment supporting their cause. This move by the Congress also indicates the political dynamics at play, where the treatment of farmers and the policies affecting their livelihoods are becoming central issues in the lead-up to the national elections.
During a Congress workers’ convention in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, top leaders of the Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, made significant pledges to the farming community of India.
Their speeches highlighted a commitment to not only enshrine the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as a legal guarantee but also to address a broader spectrum of farmers’ demands. This announcement is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of the farmers’ protests and the ensuing confrontation with the government as they attempted to march to Delhi.
The leaders expressed their deep disapproval of the Narendra Modi-led government’s approach towards farmers, describing it as a mix of “betrayal and repression”. Their criticism stems from the government’s handling of the farmers’ protests and its failure to address their concerns adequately. One of the key points in their pledge was the full implementation of the recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission.
The Swaminathan Commission, formally known as the National Commission on Farmers, was set up in 2004 to address the various issues affecting farmers and agriculture in India. Its recommendations cover a wide range of aspects intended to ensure the economic viability of farming and improve farmers’ livelihoods, including the crucial aspect of providing a profitable MSP calculated as 1.5 times the cost of production.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) underscores the significance of this commitment. He heralds the decision to implement the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations as a historic move that would transform the lives of approximately 15 crore (150 million) farming families across India.
By framing this commitment as the “first guarantee of the Congress justice regime,” Kharge signals the party’s intention to prioritize agricultural reforms and the welfare of the farming community as a cornerstone of their governance philosophy, should they come to power. This approach aims to directly address the grievances and demands of the farmers, offering a stark contrast to the current government’s policies and setting a clear agenda for the Congress party ahead of the 2024 elections.
Rahul Gandhi’s Statement on MSP
Swaminathan ji was given Bharat Ratna by BJP government. But the thing for which Swaminathan ji gave his life, for the farmers of India, the hard work he did, what Swaminathan ji said, he is not ready to do it. What does this mean? Swaminathan ji has clearly stated in his report that the farmers should get legal rights for MSP.
But BJP government needs to do that.
So I want to repeat what Kharge ji said here. If the government of India comes, then we will guarantee MSP to the farmers of India. We will give you Swaminathan’s report. And this is our beginning. Our manifesto is being made.
Our discussion is going on in that.This is the first thing I have said to you. We are going to work for the farmers and the labourers in our manifesto.
