'Huge, huge day for Punjab': Amarinder is happy Modi, Shah heard farmers

Amarinder said he was sure Centre will continue to work for agricultural development

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS R Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh was among the first non-BJP figures to react to the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to repeal the three contentious farm laws.

Amarinder tweeted, “Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every punjabi & repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of #GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central govt will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani!...”

After the aforementioned tweet from his official handle, Amarinder's media adviser, Raveen Thukral, gave more reactions from the former chief minister, which praised the BJP leadership.

Thukral tweeted Amarinder had said the decision was a “Huge huge day for all of us in Punjab. I’d been pursuing the matter with Centre for last 1+ year & had met @narendramodi ji @AmitShah ji requesting them to heed the voice of our annadaatas. Really happy they’ve heard farmers & understood our concerns.”

Amarinder further said “This has not only come as huge relief to farmers but has paved way for Punjab’s progress. I look forward to working closely with @BJP4India led centre for development of Kisans. I promise Punjab’s people I won’t rest till I wipe every tear from every single eye.”

Amarinder had opposed the farm laws since they were passed by Parliament in September 2020. Since he resigned as chief minister in September, Amarinder had made conciliatory noises towards the BJP including indicating his openness to an alliance for next year's assembly polls.

However, he had signalled that the Modi government would have to make concessions on the farm laws, such as repealing the laws or keeping them in abeyance.

Sidhu responds

Amarinder's rival and current Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu also welcomed the move. While calling the decision by Modi a “step in the right direction”, Sidhu referred to the protests by the farmers.

Sidhu tweeted, “Repealing of black laws a step in the right direction …. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success…. You’re sacrifice has paid dividends…. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt ….accolades.”