BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Sunday described farmers, who have been protesting against three farm laws, as "our own flesh and blood" and suggested that the government should re-engage with them in reaching common ground.
A large number of farmers are attending a mahapanchayat organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) at the Government Inter College ground in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.
"Lakhs of farmers have gathered in protest today in Muzaffarnagar. They are our own flesh and blood. We need to start re-engaging with them in a respectful manner: understand their pain, their point of view and work with them in reaching common ground," Mr Gandhi tweeted, posting a short video of the large crowd.
The mahapanchyat comes ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly polls next year.
The Centre had held talks with the protesting farmer unions but in vain as it did not agree to their demand of withdrawing the three farm laws.
The government has insisted that these Acts have given farmers new opportunity to sell their produce and rejected the criticism that they are aimed at doing away with the minimum support price regime and farm mandis.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Farmers Should Demand...": Kangana Ranaut's Latest Draws Congress Fury Man Killed For Refusing To Sell Tobacco Packet In UP, Case Against 3 Brothers Girl, 2, Raped By 50-Year-Old Tenant In UP, Accused Arrested: Cops "Sit Quiet": Bhavish Aggarwal As Kunal Kamra Flags Ola EV Issue "Will Campaign For BJP If... ":Arvind Kejriwal Challenges PM Modi "There's One India": Canada Reaffirms Support For Territorial Integrity 1 Dead, 10 Injured In Shooting Attack In Southern Israel: Cops Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Arrives In India For 1st Bilateral Visit What If Exit Poll Trends Mirror Actual Results In Haryana And J&K? Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.