BJP will not play politics over sugarcane farmers’ issues: Vijayendra
Bengaluru: State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not indulge in politics over the issues faced by sugarcane farmers, asserting that the party’s support for the ongoing farmers’ agitation is based on humanitarian concern, not political gain.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra criticized the Congress government, stating, “It has been six days since the farmers’ protest began, yet not a single responsible minister has visited them. If we wanted to politicize the matter, we would have joined the protest on the first day itself. We are merely supporting the farmers’ struggle.”
Taking a dig at a Congress MLA who allegedly said that sugarcane growers are not real farmers, Vijayendra called the statement “shameful and insensitive.”
He further added, “When a war is imminent, you don’t begin weapons training at the last moment. The Chief Minister should have convened a meeting with sugar mill owners and farmer leaders well before the crushing season began. Though it’s already late, there’s still time, don’t test the farmers’ patience any further. Don’t just sit idle after writing to the Prime Minister; take concrete action.”
Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister of showing negligence and delay in addressing the crisis. “The situation should not have reached a point where farmers were forced to take to the streets. The protest has now intensified, and instead of taking responsibility, the government is trying to shift the blame onto the Centre,” he said.
Clarifying on pricing mechanisms, Vijayendra pointed out that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is not decided solely by the Prime Minister. “It is determined after consultations with officials and experts from all states. Even if the Centre fixes the FRP, states are free to offer a higher State Advisory Price (SAP). The Chief Minister should approach the issue with humanity,” he urged.
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Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
