The Congress has accused the Narendra Modi government of behaving like a “slave of the capitalists” by refusing to straightaway scrap the new farm laws despite the unanimous opinion of the agitated farmers from all over the country.

Arguing that the pretence of negotiations was nothing but a delaying tactic and a ploy to break the farmers’ resolve, Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala said: “Negotiations should have started after suspension of the three laws. Modi government has demonstrated political dishonesty. They are trying to stab the farmers in the back. The question is whether we are in a democracy or a handful of corporate houses are ruling this country? The government is behaving like the slave of capitalists.”

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of dishonesty, tweeting: “Modi government should stop fooling the farmers. Stop dishonesty and atrocities. Stop the charade of negotiations. It should scrap the three anti-farmer black laws.”

This position is in tune with the demand of the farmers who are viewing the process of negotiation with suspicion and dismay.

Rahul, through another tweet, said: “They promised to double farmers’ income. What they did is — quadrupled the income of friends and halved the income of farmers.

Jhooth ki, Loot ki, Suit-boot ki sarkar (A government of lie, loot & suit-boot).”

Surjewala drew his inspiration from this to declare the government a “slave of capitalists”. He coined yet another slogan: “Dhanna-sethon ki chowkidar/ Modi Sarkar.”

Surjewala said at a news conference: “The Prime Minister is repeatedly saying the new laws are good for farmers and Opposition parties were misleading them. The farmers have categorically stated their position — that their demand for scrapping of these laws is non-negotiable. There is obviously no meeting ground. What is being discussed then? What the government offered yesterday was a lollipop of a committee even as the positions are absolutely clear.”

He added: “Why was this committee not formed before introduction of these laws? Why did the government not accept the demand of the joint Opposition to send the bills to a Parliamentary Select Committee for a deeper examination? Why were states not taken on board? Why no consultation with farmers and other stakeholders before bulldozing the laws using the emergency ordinance route during pandemic and national lockdown?”

Highlighting the travails of lakhs of farmers who are stranded on the roads for over a week now, Surjewala said: “While farmers are out on the street in a do-or-die battle, the government has used force to raise hurdles and inflict injuries. They are more interested in putting up barbed wire fences and digging up roads to block their entry into Delhi.

They used police and BSF to scare farmers. Where is the need for these coercive measures when the farmers of the entire country rejected these laws? Whose opinion should matter most if not farmers’? If we are a democracy, the natural response is to withdraw the laws.”

The Congress also asked the Prime Minister himself to hold direct talks with the farmers on Thursday as nobody else mattered in this “one-man” government.

Surjewala also said: “The Supreme Court says those who cause damage will pay compensation. Who will pay compensation for the losses caused by this agitation? Farmers didn’t venture out to block the roads, they wanted to reach Delhi. Why were they stopped? Why was the national highway dug up? The industry, states and the common people have suffered losses. Who will pay?”

While the top leaders of the Congress have deliberately kept a distance from the movement as the farmers don’t want political parties to hijack it, the party’s MPs, MLAs and leaders from Punjab and Haryana, apart from the Youth Congress, have extended help to the protesters and held several demonstrations. The central leadership too has kept a close eye on the unfolding scenario and is also planning future course of action in case the deadlock continues longer in the absence of a compromise.