Undertaking a fast in support of agitating farmers in western UP, BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Chief Minister Mayawati should step down and the state government stop acquiring land until the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill is passed by Parliament.
Condemning the violence in Bhatta Parsaul, which witnessed violent clashes between police and farmers, Singh said, "Mayawati has lost her moral right to continue as chief minister and she should resign.
"Land acquisition law needs to be scrapped and I shall raise the issue in Parliament. The UP government must stop acquiring the land until the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill comes from Parliament," he said while starting the fast at 12:30 PM here. He will continue the fast till noon tomorrow.
Speaking on the occasion, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley criticised the Centre for the delay in introducing the bill to amend the Land Acquisition Act.
He blamed the UPA's government's attitude on the issue for the ‘murders’ of farmers in police firing in Greater Noida and said the Centre cannot escape responsibility.
Alleging Mayawati government's nexus with private builders, he demanded that no further land be acquired.
Rajnath Singh was accompanied by over two dozen leaders of BJP and JD(U).