Boycotting Prez’s address doesn’t mean insulting him: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Boycotting Prez’s address doesn’t mean insulting him: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Byhindustantimes.com | Written by Harshit Sabarwal
Jan 29, 2021 02:20 PM IST

The opposition parties on Thursday announced that they would boycott the address in order to express solidarity with the farmers who have been protesting against the Centre’s three new farm laws.

As 18 opposition parties boycotted President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Friday that the boycott did not mean insulting the President and added that the opposition leaders would debate when there is a motion of thanks and debate.

"We’re standing with farmers & demanding that farm laws be taken back. It’s our biggest reason behind boycotting the Address," Chowdhury said. (ANI)
"We’re standing with farmers & demanding that farm laws be taken back. It’s our biggest reason behind boycotting the Address," Chowdhury said. (ANI)

The opposition parties on Thursday announced that they would boycott the address in order to express solidarity with the farmers who have been protesting against the Centre’s three new farm laws. They also demanded an independent investigation into the Centre’s role into the Republic Day tractor parade violence.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Boycotting President’s Address doesn’t mean insulting him. We’re standing with farmers & demanding that farm laws be taken back. It’s our biggest reason behind boycotting the Address. We’ll debate when there is a Motion of Thanks and debate,” Chowdhury was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.


Backing the farm laws during his address to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, President Kovind said that these were passed after extensive deliberations and over 10 crore small farmers started benefitting immediately. However, the implementation of the laws has been postponed by the Supreme Court and the Centre would respect and follow the apex court’s decision, he added.

“These agricultural reforms started benefitting more than 10 crore small farmers immediately. Many political parties had given full support to these reforms from time to time only after realising these benefits to small farmers,” Kovind said adding that the Centre had decided to provide minimum support price (MSP) one-and-a-half times more than the cost, following the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The President also pointed out that the Centre is providing new facilities and rights to the farmers under the new laws.

Also Read| Tense situation at Singhu border farm protest site, police fire tear gas shells

Meanwhile, Union parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi appealed to the opposition parties that boycotted his speech to respect the President’s office. He urged them to discuss the address and any other problem they had inside Parliament rather than protesting outside. “Let the left parties march to the parliament in protest, but after the protest, they should come to the house,” the minister said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On