Farmers' leaders have called for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8 to scale up the pressure on the Central government. The farmer’s leaders representing these thousands of protesting farmers who have been on protests since 26 November at various borders of Delhi have said that the nationwide strike would be observed with full force.
On Saturday, after the 5th round of talks between farmers' leaders and the Centre, the farmers union remained firm with their demands and asked the government to abolish the three farm laws.
Several opposition parties have come forward in support of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called on December 8 by farmers to express solidarity with the agitators. These agitating farmers have landed in Delhi borders for 10 days now.
Congress Party
The Congress party has expressed its support to the nationwide strike and has announced that the party will carry protests that day in all districts and state headquarters in showing its support to the demands of the farmers. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, while addressing a press meet at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "I would also like to announce that the Congress party extends its whole-hearted support to the Bharat Bandh on December 8."
NCP
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "When Bill was being passed, we'd requested govt that they shouldn't be in a hurry, it should be sent to Select Committee & a discussion is needed, but that didn't happen and the Bill was passed in haste. Now govt is facing problems because of that haste."
DMK
The opposition-led party in Tamil Nadu has said that the demand of farmers to repeal the three farm laws are "totally justified." M K Stalin has appealed farmers' unions, traders' bodies, government employees' associations, labour unions and others in the state to extend their "grand support" to the bandh and make it a success.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi
TRS party in Telangana on Sunday has stretched its support to 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8. TRS chief and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the party will take an active part in the bandh to ensure it becomes a success. "We'd opposed the Bills in Parliament, we continue to do so. MSP hasn't been assured in any of these Bills. Also, if the mandi structure is dismantled there's no alternative structure in this country, so the farmer is insecure. TRS will support the farmer' Bandh call," said K Kavitha, TRS MLC.
Trinamool Congress
West Bengal ruling party, Trinamool Congress also has declared its moral support to the 8 December nationwide strike.
Communist Parties
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Bloc, have released a joint statement announcing their support in solidarity to the agitating farmers.
Rashtriya Janata Dal
Opposition parties led by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav in Patna had held a brief protest against the laws at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Maidan where Tejaswi has pledged to support the farmer’s cause.
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM)
Southern actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party has also extended support to the countrywide strike called by the farmer’s unions.
Also Read: Bharat Bandh: Farmers, trade unions in 12 states extend support
Aam Admi Party
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal extending his support to the strike tweeted, "The Aam Aadmi Party fully supports the 'Bharat Bandh' call. There is an appeal to all countrymen that everyone should support the farmers and participate in it.”
The sixth round of talks between the farmers and government is slated for Wednesday.