Squarely blaming Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati for the farmer-police clashes in greater Noida, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said here on Monday that his party would continue to fight for farmers' rights.
"None other than the chief minister is responsible for the clashes there. It's a part of the conspiracy by the chief minister, who wants to remain in power even as farmers and police continue to clash. We will continue to support farmers so that they are not denied of their rights," Yadav told reporters in this Uttar Pradesh capital city.
"We have learnt that before the violence erupted, the farmers staged a demonstration for around two-three months to register their protest against the acquisition of their land. But, the state government did not pay heed. The government should have invited the farmers for talks to settle the issue," added Yadav. Asked whether he seeks Mayawati's resignation in the wake of the farmer-police clash in greater Noida that left four people killed, Yadav replied, "No. The public and the farmers of the state would dethrone Mayawati." The death toll in farmer protests in Bhatta Parsaol in greater Noida on Saturday has risen to four. Farmers want increased financial compensation for the land they say has been forcibly taken away from them to build the Yamuna Expressway. The proposed 165-km expressway, when completed, is expected to cut the travelling time between New Delhi and Agra by one hour.