India / Rahul doesn't know if potatoes grow above or below ground: BJP leader

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Wednesday pinned the blame on the 'tukde-tukde gang' for farmers' protests against the new agricultural laws. Mishra said he could not understand what is 'black' in these farm laws and that so far no one could explain the 'black laws'.

"I could not understand what is 'black' in these farm laws. This 'tukde-tukde gang' is the one instigating and misleading the farmers. So far, no one could explain the 'black laws'," he said.

Coming down heavily on the Congress party, the BJP minister took potshots at former party president Rahul Gandhi and ex-chief minister of his state Kamal Nath.

"Kamal Nath ji, who never visited farms of a farmer in 15 months, will ride a tractor. Rahul Gandhi, who drove 'sofa-cum-tractor' doesn't even know if potatoes grow above or below the ground," Mishra said on Congress supporting farmers' agitation.

On Wednesday, the farmers' protest intensified as farmer unions deferred a decision on the central government's offer for fresh talks despite Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar expressing hope that they will soon resume the dialogue to resolve the impasse over the new agriculture laws.

Rahul Gandhi to lead a demonstration on Thursday

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi will lead a demonstration tomorrow from Vijay Chowk to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday in farmers' support. He will start at 10:45 am from Vijay Chowk to Rashtrapati Bhavan with Congress MPs. After that, along with and other senior leaders, he will meet the President of India and submit a memorandum with signatures of 2 crore people, said Congress MP K Suresh.

"The fact that the Kerala Governor has not allowed a special session of the State Assembly to convene for the discussion of the farmers' issues, is an undemocratic and anti-constitutional act. It is very unfortunate," he added.