Harsimrat Badal Quits PM's Cabinet, Farm Bills Clear Lok Sabha | Read

Akali Dal's only Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet today as her party faced heat from farmers over its initial support to ally BJP's farm sector bills. The minister, who attended the cabinet meet that cleared the bills, stepped down shortly before the bills were passed by the Lok Sabha, tweeting that she was "Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter & sister". Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal said they would support the government from outside but oppose "anti-farmer policies". Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, however, pointed out that the Akalis still stand with the BJP and called the resignation a "gimmick".