File photo of Union Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh.
The BJP today accused the Congress of spreading misinformation against the Land Acquisition Bill, saying it was the main opposition party which took a U-turn on the bill and not the government.
"Congress chief ministers had favoured bringing changes in the UPA's Land Acquisition Act, 2013, as under it, the acquisition process was very difficult and lengthy.
"But when we brought the bill with changes as per their demand, they started opposing it by calling it anti-farmer," Union Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said at a press conference.
"The Centre has ordered bringing all those 13 Acts under the purview of the land law which were exempted from the UPA legislation. Still our government is ready to accept any suggestion which will be in the interest of farming community," the Minister added.
He accused the Congress of running a "misinformation campaign" in the name of rights of farmers.
"If somebody really had concern for farmers, it is us. Whatever will be done will be in farmers' interest. The Congress is spreading misinformation against the bill as it is trying to find an issue to regain its lost ground," Mr Singh said.
Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was also present at the press conference, took a dig at the Congress over their U-turn on the Land Bill.