Congress slams Chouhan's 'pretentious' fast, demands murder case in farmer deaths

Terming Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's indefinite fast as "pretentious and false", the Congress party on Saturday asked why the state government hadn't lodged a murder case in the killing of six protesting farmers.

"Today Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his ministers sat on a false fast. They should give up this 'false fast' and get prepared to go on a 'political exile'," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Instead of indulging in hypocrisy and pretension of sympathising with the farmers, they should reply why a murder case has not yet been lodged for the killing of six farmers?" Surjewala asked.

Surjewala also said: "Four days after they denied deaths of farmers due to police firing, the government admitted that it was due to the same."

"Another farmer named Kishan committed suicide today. Would the government reply why farmers are not getting actual price for their crops. Will the MP government fulfill its promise of giving relief to the farmers? Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfill his promise of providing 50 per cent profit over the cost of production," said Surjewala.

He also denied allegations of Congress instigating the violence in the state. Surjewala said: "Give justice to the farmers. Congress party will always stand with the farmers.

"False videos and propaganda will not suppress us. Farmers should be given justice immediately, or else we will launch a struggle," Surjewala said.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday began an indefinite fast "until peace is restored".

--IANS

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