Charanjit Singh meets PM Modi amidst the farmers’ crisis in Punjab to discusses farm issues and urge the PM to talk to the farmers.
In the first meeting after becoming the chief minister of Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday arrived at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the meeting is a courtesy visit between a chief minister and prime minister after he takes over the state, it is also an important visit in the framework of the new developments in Punjab.
Reports said Channi will urge PM Modi to withdraw the Centre’s letter on postponing the paddy procurement in Punjab from October 1. The Centre on Thursday postponed procurement of Kharif paddy in Punjab and Haryana till October 11 as the crop maturity is delayed owing to recent heavy rains.
The new Punjab CM had also supported the Bharat Bandh by the farmers is also likely to raise the issue of the farm laws with PM Modi.
Channi’s New Delhi visit comes after former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh came to Delhi and met Union home minister Amit Shah and national security adviser Ajit Doval. Amarinder Singh said he talked about the farm laws to Amit Shah and discussed security issues with Doval. Amarinder Singh also announced that he would be leaving the Congress party which has humiliated him.
Punjab Congress faced another dilemma when Navjot Singh Sidhu stepped down from the post of the president of the party. On Thursday, Charanjit Channi met Sidhu and it is reported that the differences have been addressed and reports say that Sidhu will continue as the party chief.
Channi, during his Delhi visit, will also meet the senior leaders of the Congress, the report said as it has been decided that a committee will look into the issues that Sidhu has raised regarding the appointments made by Channi.