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Some of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, including those such as the Shiromani Akali Dal which support the land acquisition amendment legislation in principle, are concerned that the government is painting itself as “anti-farmer” on the issue.
The Shiv Sena, an NDA member, opposes the Bill. The Akalis support it but are worried that the government is losing the perception war on the issue. It has requested the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to consider referring the matter to a committee of the Lok Sabha. This will allow Parliament to function, enable the government to take up other key bills like insurance and also give it at least six to eight weeks to counter the perception that it was “anti-farmer”.
On Tuesday, the Shiv Sena boycotted the NDA parliamentary party meeting, convened to brief alliance MPs about the government’s position on the issue.
And, 2015. Raju Shetty of the Shetkari Sangathana told the Lok Sabha he opposed the Bill, despite being an NDA ally.
The Telugu Desam Party is also concerned that the NDA is being described as “anti-farmer”. According to an MP, the government persisting with the Bill could wash out the Budget session, as the opposition is in no mood to negotiate on the issue. “We should not be mulish about this. The UPA lost several Parliament sessions because of its obstinacy to not give in to the then opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the 2G (telecom) scam,” the MP said.
