Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal quits Modi Govt over farmers' Bills

New Delhi: Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday quit the Modi government opposing the farm bills that the Centre has introduced in Parliament.

Taking to Twitter, Badal wrote "I have resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against anti-farmer ordinances and legislation. Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter and sister," 

According to sources, she sent her resignation to the Prime Minister's Office on late Thursday evening. 

However, the party continues to be a part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

 Announcing the SAD's decision to withdraw their minister from the Cabinet, her husband and party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal stated the SAD would continue to support the government and the ruling party BJP, but will oppose the anti-farmer policies.

As per reports, the three ordinances which have become a bone of contention between leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which got passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Addressing the Prime Minister, in a four page letter resignation she said "My decision symbolizes my party's vision, its glorious legacy and its commitment to go to any lengths in fighting for and safeguarding the interests of the farmers," 

Earlier on Saturday, the party had formally urged the Centre not to enact three farm ordinances during the monsoon session of Parliament, which began on September 14.

Highlighting on two of the farm bills Sukhbir Singh informed the proposed laws will "destroy" the 50 years of hard work put in by successive Punjab governments and farmers to build the agriculture sector.

The three ordinances which has been passed in Lok Sabha are going to affect 20 lakh farmers and 15-20 lakh farm labourers in Punjab alone, said the SAD president.

It is to be mentioned that the Shiromani Akali Dal is the BJP's oldest ally and has stood by the saffron party through thick and thin.

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