Instead of indulging in monologues and orchestrated rallies, BJP leadership should put a stage at Singhu, Tikri and other protest site to address the farmers, said Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill

NEW DELHI — After the Prime Minister defended the farm laws and attacked the opposition for misleading farmers, the Congress on Friday hit back and said the farmers did not need sermons but withdrawal of the farm laws.

Jaiveer Shergill, Congress spokesperson tweeted, “At this juncture, farmers don’t need BJP’s hollow speeches and sermons they need solid solutions by withdrawing black farm laws – Instead of indulging in monologues and orchestrated rallies, BJP leadership should put a stage at Singhu, Tikri and other protest site to address the farmers.”

The Congress also attacked Modi on the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and said, “By transferring Rs 18000 Crore into 9 Crore accounts which amounts to Rs 2000 per family & Rs 500 per individual (taking 4 as average family size), BJP cannot get a license to snatch farmers livelihood guaranteed by MSP income – Tokenism will not hide BJP’s Crony Capitalism,” Shergill added.

The Congress leader further tweeted: “The ‘Kisan Samman’ (respect) cannot be bought by transferring Rs 500 per person under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme – Every BJP mega event today, including PM speech, should have started by rendering an apology and expressing regret over death of 23+ farmers.”

Earlier, the Prime Minister transferred Rs 18,000 crore to over nine crore beneficiary farmer families. This is the 7th instalment under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme — a direct transfer scheme for the farmers.

PM Modi interacted with farmers from six states via video conference on Friday.

While defending the farm laws, Modi said some people were misleading the farmers on the issue of contract farming and that nobody can snatch the land of the farmers.

Modi said, “I am satisfied that now there is no middlemen and farmers are getting money directly, and till now Rs 1,10,000 crore has been deposited without any cut and commission. This is good governance.”