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happy day Delhi Polls: Agri Minister Blames Delhi Govt Blocking Farmers’ Welfare Schemes; Atishi Responds

As the Delhi Assembly Elections come closer, the face-off between BJP and AAP continues with both pointing to the other’s loopholes. On the same note, a war of words broke out between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Thursday over the non-implementation of central farm policies in the national capital. 

In a letter to Atishi dated January 1, Chouhan accused the AAP-led government of neglecting farmers and blocking crucial benefits under a key central scheme. Chouhan expressed his disappointment, claiming that the Delhi government had failed to implement several important central agricultural initiatives. These include the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the Beej Gram programme, which he argued are vital to the welfare of farmers. The Union minister alleged that Delhi’s farmers were being deprived of essential services such as seed distribution, infrastructure development, and access to mechanization.

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“I am writing this letter in sadness. Your government has stopped the implementation of farmer-friendly central schemes. Your government is not sympathetic towards farmers. Today, farmers in Delhi are upset and worried,” Chouhan wrote. 

He further criticized the AAP government for failing to extend benefits like nursery establishment, crop insurance, and post-harvest infrastructure, which are included in the central schemes but remain unimplemented in Delhi.

Chouhan also raised concerns about Delhi farmers being forced to pay higher commercial rates for electricity, despite the AAP government’s promise of free power. He pointed out that farmers in areas such as the Yamuna region are struggling due to the disconnection of their irrigation equipment’s power supply.

The Union minister's letter also contained a direct message to Atishi, urging the Delhi government to put political differences aside in matters of farmer welfare. He concluded by stressing that the government’s responsibility to ensure farmers' well-being transcends party affiliations.

Delhi CM Atishi’s response to Shivraj Chouhan

Atishi, in a quick retaliation, dismissed Chouhan’s remarks as politically motivated. She accused the BJP of being insincere in its approach to farmers' welfare. 

“The BJP talking about farmers is like Dawood giving a sermon on non-violence… The condition of farmers has never been as bad as it was during the time of the BJP,” Atishi said.

"There won't be a vacuum. Someone will come in my place, for sure. All the sports are like that. Sachin Tendulkar was there and now there is Virat Kohli, and someone will take his place tomorrow. So, Sreejesh was there yesterday, but someone else will come and take his place tomorrow," the goalkeeping stalwart told PTI in an interview at the India House in Paris.

"Yes, definitely, the mental toughness of this side is totally different. We are a united bunch and we backed each other and motivated each other when chips were down," Harmanpreet told PTI after returning to the country on Saturday.

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Atishi also called on Chouhan to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the ongoing hunger strike by farmers from Punjab, who have been protesting for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. She accused the BJP of using farmers as political pawns and criticized the party for its actions during the 2020 farmers' protests, which saw violent confrontations between police and protesters.

Arvind Kejriwal backs Atishi

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal extended his support to Atishi’s stance, accusing the BJP of failing to engage with farmers. In a post on X, he claimed that the Centre is preparing to implement the now-revoked three farm laws “through the backdoor” by calling it a “policy”. He said copies of the new “policy” have been sent to all states for their views on it

He demanded that the BJP government listen to the demands of farmershappy day, particularly in Punjab, where protests have been ongoing. He further said that the BJP would be responsible “if something happens” to the protesting farmers in Punjab who are on an indefinite fast over a set of demands, including a legal guarantee on MSP.

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