Rahul cites compulsions of coalition politics for new land law

Ghagholi (Aligarh), July 8: Citing the compulsions of coalition politics in early passage of the Land Acquisition Bill, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi today (Jul 8) promised that the bill when finally passed will be in favour of farmers.

Rahul was talking to farmers about impediments in the passing of the new land law in view of objections raised by Trinamool Congress (TMC), even though he did not mention either TMC or Mamta Bannerjee.

"When we a propose draft law and ask our coalition partners if it was fine, they say it does not suit us in Bengal. This law does not look fine. You have to change it," Rahul said.

While hearing the grievances of farmers assembled in this village along the Yamuna Expressway, Rahul said, "We have a coalition government at the Centre in Delhi. There are a number of partners. We have to hold discussions with them, we are talking to our partners. We will bring a good law, we are trying our best to pass it in the next session of Lok Sabha."

The Congress leader said, the National Advisory Council (NAC) and the government were both discussing the law.

Counselling patience, he said, "It takes time to make a new law and the Centre is already working on it. If we make the law in five minutes, it will be wrong. We wish to enact to a new law which can last for at least next 20 to 30 years."

Rahul said, "We have to find a solution to land acquisition and we can find that through dialogue alone. Don't try to suppress people and their voices, you need to involve them, We think if you don't involve the poor, it amounts to atrocities on them."

PTI