Bengaluru: Fending off attacks from a combative opposition on the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused them of "spreading lies" and seeking to draw "political mileage" as he vowed to safeguard the farmers interests.
In his speech at a public meeting here where the two-day BJP National Executive meeting is underway, Modi said he empathised with farmers and understood their woes, declaring the government was committed to empowering them.
"Those spreading lies do not know how to protect the interests of farmers," said Modi who made no direct reference to the land bill which has emerged as a rallying point for the Opposition to target his government, branding it as "anti-farmer."
"How did farmers lose their land? Where did it go?... To get a job of a peon for their children or to make them a driver, they used to be compelled to sell their land to pay bribes.. The (previous) governments compelled them to (sell land)," Modi said on a day when the government re-promulgated the land acquisition ordinance a day before it is to lapse.
Noting that the country's livestock was diminishing, he said, "I am surprised at that those people who are undertaking big campaigns for political mileage that if losing land for a farmer is painful, equally worrying is the depletion of livestock as it will have adverse impact on villages)."
On farmers' empowerment, he said "I have not come from the heavens. I have lived among villagers and poor people and have reached here...I know that India will not make progress till villages develop and till farmers make progress."
Modi also said "throwing crumbs" at farmers would not help them and stressed on reforms in agriculture sector, referring to farming technology, infrastructure, good roads, irrigation, electricity and own house.
"We recognise the power of our farmers and we are making efforts to empower them and ensure proper remuneration for their produce," he said.
The Prime Minister also coined a new slogan "give it up"
to exhort the better off sections of society to forego their cooking gas subsidy which would be utilised in providing subsidised LPG connections to the poor.
Urging the well-off people to give up their LPG subsidy, he said "gas cylinders surrendered by them would be transferred to the poor who use wood for cooking. If one crore people give up their LPG subsidy, one crore poor people will benefit as they will be given new LPG cylinders instead.
"Give it up" campaign should be taken up on the lines of "Swacch Bharat" and "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" initiatives. "I appeal to all MPs, MLAs, ministers, IAS and IPS officers, professors and professionals to forego their LPG subsidy and derive happiness by doing so."
In his address, Modi also assured the people that his government would fulfil all the promises made on bringing back the black money stashed abroad and cited measures taken so far including a bill with stringent provisions against those concealing their money held overseas.
The rally was attended by the entire top brass of BJP, including party President Amit Shah, veteran LK Advani and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, besides other cabinet ministers and Chief Ministers of party-ruled states.
