‘Farm laws in interest of farmers’: Nitish Kumar after ‘courtesy meeting’ with PM Modi

Bihar Prime Minister Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kumar said that his party is with the government on the issue of farmers and that the Center has chosen the right path by holding talks with the farmers’ unions that agitate against the three laws.

Thousands of farmers protest at various borders in Delhi for more than two months demanding the repeal of the three laws, which they consider pro-business and against the existing mandi and MSP procurement systems. However, the government has dismissed these apprehensions as unfounded, although at least 11 rounds of talks between the two sides have failed to end the stalemate.

He said that the laws are in the interest of farmers and not against them. “Hopefully the problem will be solved soon,” said the JDU leader.

Kumar also played down claims by rival parties, including Lalu Prasad’s RJD, that his rule in Bihar will not last his full term, saying that if they are getting publicity then there is nothing wrong with that. He added along the same lines that these leaders are unaware of reality.

This was Kumar’s first meeting with Modi after his government took office in November last year. The Prime Minister of Bihar described it as a “courtesy meeting”, adding that he made no specific demands and they spoke on a variety of topics.

In power in Bihar since 2005, except for a brief period, this is the first time that JD (U) de Kumar is a minor partner in the alliance with the BJP after his account fell to 43 seats in the 243 assembly members from 71 while the Saffron party jumped to 74 from 53. (With PTI tickets)

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