Gadkari writes to Congress chief, Hazare on land bill

New Delhi, March 19: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said he has written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and activist An Hazare on the land acquisition bill, inviting them for an open debate on the proposed legislation. “I have written a letter to Sonia ji and An ji, requesting them to choose a platform to have an open debate on the land bill,” Gadkari told reporters. He said the central government was willing to make changes if required and if they can prove government is wrong. “The government will accept the suggestions made by opposition if they proved the Centre wrong.” According to sources, Gadkari was asked by Prime Minister rendra Modi to sort out differences over the land bill. Gadkari said: “Contrary to projections, the proposed land acquisition law isn’t against farmers...It will actually help rural infrastructure, irrigation and road connectivity.” He also accused the opposition of politicising the issue.

Hazare sent a three-page letter to Gandhi on March 14, seeking her party’s cooperation in opposing the land bill. On Wednesday, the Congress president wrote back to the activist, saying that she agrees with him that the land bill brought by the central government was not in the interest of farmers and her party will continue its fight against it. Gandhi also said the Congress will oppose the bill at every forum. (IANS)