On 24 Jul, a delegation of farmer leaders met INC leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament House complex to discuss issues affecting farmers in India. These farmers are aligned with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and come from Panjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The delegation sought a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). Gandhi assured them that the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc would pressure the govt. to ensure the legal guarantee. Accompanying Gandhi in the meeting were INC general secretary KC Venugopal, former Panjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Panjab INC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and others. Warring said Gandhi would raise farmers' issues in Parliament and, if necessary, bring a private member’s Bill. On 29 Jul, in his response to the Budget in the Lok Sabha (Lower House), Gandhi said they will bring a Bill on legal MSP within this term of the govt. Earlier in the day, Gandhi alleged farmer leaders invited by him were not allowed inside Parliament. Warring noted, ‘They have all rights to come to Delhi and protest.’ As per rules, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha gives the permission to visitors. Meanwhile SAD leader MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has introduced a private member bill seeking legal guarantee for MSP. However, the text of the bill is not available and it cannot be confirmed if the letter of the bill matches the farmers’ expectations. SAD is not part of the INDIA bloc.
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