New Delhi (TIP): In a show of solidarity with the agitating farmers, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, tore up copies of the Centre’s three new farm laws in the Assembly on Thursday, Dec 17. The AAP government also passed a resolution in the Delhi Assembly seeking the repeal of the farm laws.

Addressing the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal alleged that the laws “have been made for electoral funding of the BJP and not the farmers”. “I am pained that I have to do this. I did not intend to, but I cannot betray the farmers of my country who have been sleeping on the streets in the cold when the temperature is just 2 degrees Celsius,” Kejriwal said.

“I am a citizen of this country first, a chief minister later. This assembly rejects the three laws and appeals to the central government to meet the demands of farmers,” he said.

“What was the hurry to get the farm laws passed in Parliament during pandemic? It has happened for first time that three laws were passed without voting in Rajya Sabha. I hereby tear the farm laws in this assembly and appeal Centre not to become worst than Britishers,” Kejriwal said as he tore a copy of the farm laws.

Raking up the issue of the death of farmers sitting at protest near Delhi borders, Kejriwal said, “I want to ask Centre how many sacrifices farmers will have to make, to get their voices heard. Every farmer has become Bhagat Singh. The government is saying that they are reaching out to farmers and trying to explain the benefits of Farm Bills. UP CM told farmers that they’ll benefit from these bills as their land won’t be taken away. Is it a benefit?”