Ex Haryana CM in solidarity with farmers' demands

New Delhi: Amid the 'Bharat Bandh', which is being supported by the Congress and almost the entire opposition, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday said he agreed that some reforms were needed which should be first discussed in Parliament.

However, he said the current farm laws should be withdrawn. "The Centre should withdraw these farm laws and it is time for the government to act," he said. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi at the Congress Headquarters, Hooda said, "I agree that some reforms are needed, but the Acts, which have been passed by the government, have no reflection of reforms.

And, if the government wants some reforms, they should call the Parliament session and discuss exactly about the reforms." Hooda said the farmers will welcome any decision and laws which are in their interest. He also said, "We are supporting the protests because these are their genuine demands and we are not leading this agitation." He demanded that the BJP leaders should apologize for linking the farmers' protest to China, Pakistan and others.

The Congress is supporting the farmers agitation and the nationwide strike. On Tuesday, the Agriculture Minister once again made the government's stand on the MSP clear. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged farmers to avoid the "propaganda" being spread. He assured them that "the MSP and mandis will also continue".