Opposition slams land ordinance

Opposition parties led by the Congress Monday slammed the government over the ordinance amending the land acquisition act, calling the move "anti-farmer" and "anti-people".

"Our conscience is clear. The land acquisition act was passed after one of the longest discussions. We are shocked that there was a need for an ordinance," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the media here.

Terming the ordinance "anti-people" and "anti-farmer", he said: "We will agitate. The government must realise that the essence of democracy is to take everybody along."

Congress' Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabu Azad said his party would oppose any ordinance which was "anti-people".

A Trinamool Congress leader said the party would protest against the ordinance both inside and outside the house Tuesday.

Janata Dal-United president and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav said: "This government talked about development for all, but they are working only for some industrialists."

"Land ordinance is against people, we will oppose it," he added.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu sought the cooperation of all political parties to ensure smooth functioning of parliament.

Talking to reporters outside parliament, Naidu assured that the content of every ordinance will be discussed on the floor of the house.

He also defended the land acquisition bill, saying it is not anti-farmer.