Key UPA ally Samajwadi Party today joined Left parties in expressing reservation over the food security bill, saying it is "anti-farmer" and will deprive them from getting their proper dues.
"The day the bill is implemented, farmers will not get proper dues for their produce," SP leader Naresh Agarwal said. He apprehended that the government was looking towards mid- term elections by bringing this legislation.
"SP opposes this bill as it is anti-farmer," he told NDTV.
Opposing the bill in its present form, Left parties demanded the amendments moved by them should be "seriously" considered by the government.
Noting that the first priority of the government should be introduction of the bill in the Monsoon session, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said, "There should be discussions on it and important amendments moved by the party should be seriously considered."
She said six crore tonnes of food grains have been rotting in the country and the government has not moved at all to address the issue.
CPI leader D Raja also strongly opposed the idea of bringing an ordinance on food security and said the legilsation in its present form is "defective and unacceptable".
"... The Food Security Bill framed by the UPA government is unacceptable in its existing form as it suffers from several defects and a comprehensive and thorough debate is essential before it is considered for passage in Parliament," Raja said.
Party leader Atul Anjan said if the government is "serious" about the issue, it should convene an all-party meeting soon.
