'Arrogance loses', 'Kisan-ity prevails': Opposition reacts as govt repeals farm laws

After facing farmers' ire for months over three controversial farm laws, the government on Friday announced it will repeal the Bills in the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. Apologising that the government couldn't convince a section of farmers of the benefits of the laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government's support to farmers in an address to the nation.

Leaders from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamool Congress were quick to take a swipe at the BJP, saying the "fear of defeat" in the upcoming assembly elections has forced the BJP take the decision

The parties also said that the decision has come in late and had the Modi government shed its "arrogance earlier" and repealed the laws opposed by farmers, a number of precious lives lost during the nearly year-long agitation could have been saved.

Here's a low-down on what they said.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien also targeted the government and said, "Arrogance loses."

The Congress said people of the country now know that the country's victory now lies ahead of the BJP's defeat as fear of defeat in upcoming assembly polls has forced Prime Minister Modi to take back his decision and announce the repeal of three farm laws.

The opposition party also described the Centre's announcement to repeal three farm laws as a victory against injustice and said arrogance had to bow its head before the peaceful 'satyagrah' of farmers.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh celebrated the repeal of the farm laws saying that "after much appeal, repeal!" He added that after months-long protest, 'Kisan-ity prevails at last!'

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu applauded the success of the farmers' 'Satyagrah' and hailed the repeal of the three "black laws".

Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, who had hinted at a tie-up with the BJP if the government accepts farmers demands, was the first to congratulate the protesting farmers and thank PM Modi for this step.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Centre's arrogance bowed before the farmers' demands.

Congress leader P Chidambaram took a swipe at the government for repealing the laws ahead of key state elections, saying that what cannot be achieved by democracy, can be achieved "by fear of impending elections".

West Bengal Mamata Banerjee extended her congratulations to farmers for this win and condoled those who lost their lives in the agitation.

Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sang praises of the farmers' resolution and said India will remember how they "saved agriculture and farmers across the country".

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav charged it is the fear of election defeat that the BJP has been forced to take this decision.

"Apology will not help this time. The people understand everything and will teach the BJP a lesson," he said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the farmers' movement succeeded due to the persistence of the peasants.

"Impending elections and protest movements can force PM to rethink. He's never beaten a peoples' movement, just managed to harass. Anti-CAA movement ensured that talks of national NRC were shelved; CAA rules yet to be made. Farmers movement succeeded due to their persistence," he said.

Welcoming the decision, the Shiv Sena and the NCP, which share power in Maharashtra, said the government had to finally bow down before the agitating farmers.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "For the first time, PM Modi has expressed the 'mann ki baat' of people. BJP leaders were openly calling these farmers Khalistanis and Pakistanis, but the Union government had to bow before the farmers' pressure."

Nawab Malik, chief spokesperson of the NCP, said in a tweet, "Jhukati hai duniya, jhukane wala chahiye” (The world bows, we need the one who can make it happen).

"In last seven years, PM Modi never spoke with any opposition leader or farmer leader regarding the three farm laws. Now, they have realised that a major political change is taking place in the country and its indications could be seen in Uttar Pradesh elections next year," he said.

The victory of farmers is the victory of the country, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary said.

TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the "farmers' long and arduous struggle, their grit and determination against all adversities has shown the BJP their true place".

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala charged that the BJP's "fear of defeat" in the upcoming state assembly polls has forced Modi to take back his decision on three farm laws.

He demanded that the prime minister apologise to the farmers for the "pain" inflicted on them.

(With PTI inputs)