New Delhi [India], January 2 : Delhi BJP State President Virendra Sachdeva sharply criticized Chief Minister Atishi over the farmers’ issue, accusing her of diverting attention from accountability by discussing irrelevant topics. He suggested that if Atishi genuinely cared about farmers, she should have engaged with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Sachdeva pointed out that the Union Agriculture Minister had written a letter, highlighting that the condition of farmers in Delhi had worsened under the AAP government. He emphasized that farmers in Delhi were not granted proper recognition, and that they still had to purchase tractors from neighboring states like Haryana or Uttar Pradesh due to the 35% tax levied in Delhi. “If she truly cares about farmers, Atishi should have spoken to the Agriculture Minister. Instead, she avoids accountability by discussing irrelevant matters,” Sachdeva stated while speaking to ANI.
Earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Chouhan had written to CM Atishi, accusing the AAP government of blocking central welfare schemes for Delhi’s farmers and labeling the government’s policies as “anti-agriculture” and “anti-farmer.” The letter, dated January 1, expressed Chouhan’s concern over the Delhi government’s failure to address the issues faced by farmers, particularly the prevention of the implementation of various farmer-friendly schemes initiated by the central government.
In the letter, Chouhan wrote, “It saddens me to inform you that your government has failed to take appropriate actions in the interest of farmers. Central government schemes meant to benefit farmers in Delhi have been blocked, leaving them without the support they deserve. I had raised these issues before, but unfortunately, no steps have been taken by your government to resolve them.”
Chouhan also accused AAP’s national convenor and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of exploiting farmers for political gain and accused him of misleading them before elections.