New Delhi:
Huge traffic snarls, and many stranded on the roads of Delhi on Thursday as thousands of farmers brought large parts of the city to a virtual standstill.
The central business district of Connaught Place was the worst hit as sloganeering farmers took over roads, pavements and parks. The farmers, who have been protesting what they say is forced land acquisition in Uttar Pradesh, are now marching in the streets of the Capital.
And these protests have found supporters cutting across the political divide and politics over land has begun. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi came out in their support on Wednesday, but he is now being accused of trying to hijack the cause.
"Manmohan Singh is not just Rahul Gandhi's Prime Minister, he's everybody's PM. I also went to meet him last week. He could have given me the same assurance that he gave Rahul Gandhi about the government's intent to table an amended Land Acquisition Bill in the next Session of Parliament," Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh said.
The RLD claims 80,000 farmers took part in the protests today. The farmers congregated at the Ram Lila grounds and marched to Jantar Mantar, the closest they could get to Parliament.
"The PM must call an all-party meet on the issue and evolve a consensus. If we find there is anything anti-farmer in the new bill, it will be very difficult for government to get it passed in Parliament," senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha , Arun Jaitley said.
The Left has also backed the farmers' demand and asked for an amendment in the Land Acquisition Act.
"I want to question Central government's responsibility. Through this 1894 based archaic, unfair British law the government is grabbing the lands of the farmers not having ownership rights. Why is the Congress government hesitating to change the law?" said Brinda Karat, CPM Politburo member.
The central business district of Connaught Place was the worst hit as sloganeering farmers took over roads, pavements and parks. The farmers, who have been protesting what they say is forced land acquisition in Uttar Pradesh, are now marching in the streets of the Capital.
And these protests have found supporters cutting across the political divide and politics over land has begun. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi came out in their support on Wednesday, but he is now being accused of trying to hijack the cause.
"Manmohan Singh is not just Rahul Gandhi's Prime Minister, he's everybody's PM. I also went to meet him last week. He could have given me the same assurance that he gave Rahul Gandhi about the government's intent to table an amended Land Acquisition Bill in the next Session of Parliament," Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh said.
The RLD claims 80,000 farmers took part in the protests today. The farmers congregated at the Ram Lila grounds and marched to Jantar Mantar, the closest they could get to Parliament.
"The PM must call an all-party meet on the issue and evolve a consensus. If we find there is anything anti-farmer in the new bill, it will be very difficult for government to get it passed in Parliament," senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha , Arun Jaitley said.
The Left has also backed the farmers' demand and asked for an amendment in the Land Acquisition Act.
"I want to question Central government's responsibility. Through this 1894 based archaic, unfair British law the government is grabbing the lands of the farmers not having ownership rights. Why is the Congress government hesitating to change the law?" said Brinda Karat, CPM Politburo member.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
