Farmers should shun protests, hold talks with Centre, says Bittu

Two days after saying that assets of farmer leaders would be probed into after the byelections, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu today softened his stand and said the farmers and their leaders should shun the way of protest and come forward for talks with the Centre.

Protest was not a solution to the problems of the state, he said. “What have they got by stopping trains, highways or toll plazas, only the commoners are suffering due to these things. Let’s come forward for talks for betterment of the state. Narendra Modi-led government is in favour of Punjab and ready to address any issue relating to the state,” said Bittu, while addressing public meetings in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment in favour of Manpreet Singh Badal. He elaborated on some of the welfare schemes launched by the Centre.

Targeting PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, he said power and money had gone to his head. Referring to a recent speech of Warring, Bittu said a leader should know how to solicit votes from poor people.