BJP leader Varun Gandhi slams his own party’s government on the treatment of farmers’ movement, Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
Varun Gandhi was critical of his own party because in Lakhimpur Kheri October 2021, four farmers and a journalist were murdered in a deliberate mowing down of victims by an SUV belonging to Union Minister Ajay Mishra in a deed done by Teni’s son Ashish Mishra. Union Minister Ajay Mishra is still not removed even though was aware of what his son was doing, probably done with his permission. Ajay Mishra has still not resigned, nor even remotely been asked to resign.
In an interview conducted by Dainik Bhaskar of News Laundry, Varun Gandhi on speaking to Bhaskar declared that the central government was giving protection to Ajay Mishra raising tumultuous questions to the people. Varun Gandhi asked sharply “What does the government want to prove by this?” Surmising that the government is giving the accused protection instead of giving the victim justice.
On speaking about the farmers’ movement, Varun Gandhi said that the farmers of Uttar Pradesh can further intensify their program of ‘Vote ki chot’, which may harm the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. He has distinctly stated that it should be understood that the farmers’ movement has just been postponed, not ended.
He went on to say, “Every mass movement in a democracy has its own strength, it has its own effect. From the JP movement to the Anna movement, it has been proved every time that the people’s movement has the power to change the government and also has the power to create a new myth of leadership. Farmers are yet to get answers from the government on many issues.”
Gauging all issues, he raised the subject of legal guarantee on MSP, non-resignation of Union Minister of State for Home in Lakhimpur incident.
Talking about compensation and return of cases filed against farmers, Varun Gandhi said that their demand is still going on. While warning the government of his own party, he said that if the government ignores the farmers again, then the farmers’ movement can start again.”
Earlier, he had demanded compensation for farmers, action against Teni
Gandhi, and had also urged the PM to consider paying compensation of ₹1 crore to the families of the farmers who died during the year-long protest against the farm laws.
Varun has become a voice raised against his own party, and the notable change occurred during Gandhi Jayanti when he raised a voice of fury against BJP supporters who were celebrating Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse. Interestingly, he was dropped from BJP national executive committee after the Lakhimpur Kheri tweets, along with his mother Maneka Gandhi. It remains to be seen how long will Varun Gandhi remain in BJP.