Farmers block BJP’s rally in Ambala, show black flags
Tribune News Service
Ambala, October 14
A tractor rally by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria, Kurukshetra MP Nayab Saini and Ambala BJP chief Rajesh Batoura, faced a massive protest from farmers in Naraingarh against the three controversial farm laws.
The BJP commenced the rally with 150 tractors from Saini Dharmashala in Naraingarh. A few kms down the road, farmers led by BKU (Charuni) district chief Malkeet Singh blocked the way near Milan Palace.
After brief parleys with BJP leaders, farmers cleared the way an hour later but on one condition: black flags should be fixed on tractors.
However, after traversing a km, the rally was stopped again near Sain Majra village. Only Saini’s tractor and some senior leaders were allowed to move ahead. After a gap of 15 minutes, the road was cleared for other tractors, but only one by one.
Of the 150 tractors, only 70 reached the concluding point of old bus stand in Shahzadpur.
During the rally, the farmers raised slogans against the BJP and burnt its flag. They also showed black flags to BJP leaders. BKU leader Malkeet Singh said, “The farmers will continue to protest till the three farm laws are not repealed.”
Farmers’ leaders claimed that people, who made up the numbers at the rally, and the tractors were hired. “A man admitted that a BJP leader had offered him money to bring his tractor to the rally. He did not disclose the sum offered to him,” one of the leaders said.
A heavy police force was deployed during the rally to avoid any untoward incident. Ambala SP Rajesh Kalia was present as well.
Kataria, who is also the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, said: “The Congress is trying to save its sinking ship by politicising the matter. Farmers are with the BJP. Those showing black flags have been hired by the Congress.”
What transpired
- The BJP commenced the rally with 150 tractors in Naraingarh
- A few kilometres down the road, farmers blocked the road
- After brief parleys with BJP leaders, farmers cleared the way an hour later
- After traversing 1 km, the rally was stopped again near Sain Majra village
- Only MP Nayab Saini’s tractor was allowed to move ahead
- After 15 minutes, the road was cleared
