The opposition leaders have strongly criticized the governments handling of the farmers protest as tear gas shells were fired at protesting farmers marching towards New Delhi, echoing scenes from the 2021 protests. The Haryana Police deployed tear gas to disperse farmers attempting to break barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the brutal assault on farmers and accused the BJP-led central government of failing to support them, exposing the hollowness of the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) narrative. She urged the BJP to prioritize farmers welfare over political ambitions and asserted solidarity with the protesting farmers.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav denounced the use of tear gas against farmers and questioned the governments touted Amritkaal (Era of Elixir) under BJP rule. Yadav criticized the government for suppressing farmers voices and failing to fulfill promises of doubling farmers income and implementing minimum support prices (MSP).भाजपा राज में ये है भला कैसा अमृतकालकिसानों पर आँसू गैस के गोलों की बौछारधिक्कार! धिक्कार!! धिक्कार!!!— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 13, 2024Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, criticized the governments decision to confer Bharat Ratna on agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh while neglecting farmers demands. He emphasized the importance of implementing the Swaminathan formula and ensuring fair minimum support prices for crops, highlighting the farmers demands.The tightened security in the national capital reflects escalating tensions as farm unions from Punjab and Haryana march towards Delhi after unsuccessful talks with ministers regarding minimum crop prices. These protests, ongoing for over two years, underscore the significant influence of farmers as a voting bloc, particularly in the upcoming national elections where Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks re-election for a third term.
