NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said his appeal to the protesting farmers to shift their agitation out of the state has been ‘misunderstood’ and given a political twist.
“Unfortunate that farmers agitating against #FarmLaws have given political twist to my remarks instead of understanding the pain & misery caused to people on account of their protests in Punjab,’ the chief minister said in a tweet shared by his media adviser.
“Continued protests by farmers in Punjab are uncalled for, as their fight is against @BJP4India and not against us. We in Punjab have consistently stood with them on the issue of #FarmLaws, so it’s sad we’re suffering now due to the stir,’ Amarinder said.

Stating that farmers of both Punjab and Haryana were victims of apathy of BJP-led governments, the chief minister said there was no question of trying to divide them.
“If stir continues in Punjab we’ll lose out on jobs, revenue, investment,” Amarinder said, adding, “already grain storage and procurement are getting badly affected.”
On Monday, Amarinder Singh had urged farmers to spare Punjab from their protests against the three central farm laws and advised them to shift their sit-in venues to Delhi’s borders or in Haryana.
The Punjab CM said that the ongoing farmers agitation at 113 places in the state was hampering its economic development.
Haryana home minister slams Amarinder
Haryana home minister Anil Vij slammed Amarinder Singh for his remarks and called it ‘irresponsible’.
Taking to Twitter Vij said, “Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh ji telling farmers to do whatever they want in Haryana or Delhi and don’t do it in Punjab is a very irresponsible statement. This proves that Amarinder Singh has done the work of instigating the farmers.”
Vij, in a statement, said, “The statement was very irresponsible. It means that you (Amarinder Singh) want to disrupt the peace of your neighbouring states of Haryana and Delhi.
“It also means that he is the one who instigated them (farmers). His statement also proves that the farmers’ protest is a protest sponsored by Amarinder Singh,” he added.
Farmers welcome in Chhattisgarh, says Bhupesh Baghel
And its not just the opposition that is targeting Amarinder.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel cited the support of senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka to the cause of farmers and said that the protesters are welcome in his state.
“Rahul Gandhi started farmers’ movement in Delhi. Priyanka Gandhi has organised Kisan Mahapanchayats in UP, Rajasthan. Farmers are protesting across the nation. They are welcome in Chhattisgarh and if they ask for support, we’ll provide the same,” Baghel said.