In Strongly-Worded Letter, Sonia Gandhi Says Opposition to Land Reforms is 'Not Anti-National'

New Delhi:

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has written a strongly-worded letter to the government, rejecting the allegations that her party is being "anti-national and anti-farmer" by opposing the land reforms proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier this month, Mrs Gandhi, 68, led opposition leaders in a march from parliament to the President's home or Rashtrapati Bhawan to signal their protest to the land reforms. In her note, she says the "unabashed display of half-truths and misrepresentations" is "typical" of the government and that fighting for the rights of farmers is "non-negotiable" for her party, which was decimated in last year's national election.

The land reforms sought by the government have been denounced as "anti-farmer" by opposition parties as well as some of the government's allies.

In December, the Prime Minister used an ordinance or executive order that makes major changes to the land acquisition law cleared by parliament in 2013, when the Congress-led government was in power. Mrs Gandhi, whose letter is addressed to senior minister Nitin Gadkari, points out that the law was passed with the support of the BJP when it was in the opposition.

The ordinance, aimed at making it easier for businesses to buy land, is key for the Prime Minister's economic reform agenda. It exempts projects in five categories including defence from seeking the consent of 80 percent of the affected landowners as mandated by the 2013 law. Businesses will also be exempt from holding a social impact study involving public hearings.

The ordinance issued by the government lapses on April 5. The government is in a minority in the Upper House or Rajya Sabha; the ordinance must be approved by both houses of parliament to turn it into law.

Senior ministers have said a decision has not been taken on whether that order will be reissued, a step that cannot be taken when parliament is in session. Ministers have also said that though there are constructive suggestions for changes to the proposal are welcome, the government will not surrender its intent to ease land acquisition rules.