Shimla, Aug 30
Two commission agents expressed regret over the incidence of spat with Bharat Kisan Union leader Rakesh Taiket at the Sabzi Mandi of Solan on Saturday.
Two commission agents Yashpal and Vicky Chauhan had a spat with Rakesh Taiket when they tried to stop him while entering the APMC market at Solan on Saturday. The video clipping of the spat went viral on social media resulting in the Congress leaders and many BJP members condemning Taiket to be harsh on the duo.
A video message released by the two commission agents on Sunday displayed them, expressing regret over the incident. The duo showing remorse over the spat said that they were not mentally prepared so anticipated what they did.
The two commission agents said that they did not wanted to behave like they did with the BKU leader but whatever happened was spontaneous or unexpected however they did not have any pre intention.
Yaspal and Chauhan said that whatever happened in the Sabji Mandi was blowen out of proportion by the social media and some y-tube channels which was unexpected.
We would meet Mr Taiket after the season and also express personal apology with him, they stated.
It was worthwhile to mention that Taiket was in the hill state on Saturday to display solidarity with the farmers and apple growers after Tomato and Apple market crashed.
Congress MLA from Rural Shimla Vikramaditya Singh had also condemned the Taiket brawl with the commission agents at Solan. Scion of Erstwhile Rampur dynasty and son of former chief minister was quoted saying in vernacular that Taiket should keep away from the farmer movement as state people would resolve the issue of farmers themselves.
On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Kuldeeep Singh Rathore said that Congress party is with the farmers and apple growers and supports Rakesh Taiket on the issue.
Meanwhile, Vikramaditya Singh also stated on Sunday that his statement on Rakesh Taiket was regarding the Solan Sabjimandi incident however he supports the farmer agitation and his statement was not regarding his the crash of apple market.
The Congress party and its leaders in the state seem to be not following the AICC stand on the farmers’ issues as there are contradictory statements by the party leaders in the state.
Number of them commented in social media and condemned BKU leader’s solidarity with Apple growers.
The move by Congressmen came to the likes of BJP which is already taking repressive steps on farmer protests.
Ruling BJP including Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur have denied any crash of markets and have vehemently opposed farmer organisations and BKU for raising this issue in the media.
BJP spokesman Baldev Tomar attributed the crashing of apple markets due to demand and supply gap defending the role of private corporate houses.
It is worthwhile to mention that other than A -1 grade apple and Tomato, all else, is not able to fetch remunerative prices after crashing of markets in the state which likely to have implications on the livelihood of lakhs of households.
Barring few Congress leaders and CPI(M) leaders and activists, most are being seen backfoot, in terms of supporting the cause of distressed farmers and apple growers in the state, stated a farmer Ramlal.
Number of farmers and apple growers are of the view that fixation of price of A grade apple by the Adani Agrifresh group is responsible for the chaos.
Currently in the mid of apple season, crop belonging to mid and high belts are pouring in the markets however the market sentiment is devastated by forces which do not want the royts or apple growers to get good prices.
Apple growers in large numbers are now trying to send their crop to Chandigarh and Azadpur fruit and other vegetable markets after local market got crashed leading to massive loss to apple growers who are toiling hard to get back their input costs which have increased exorbitantly due to massive inflation.
Apple is considered the backbone of the hill economy, amounting to Rs 3500 to Rs 4000 Cr and it renders livelihood to about four lakh households.
