MP farmer agitation: We are not instigating protests, says Congress

Congress leader PL Punia was quoted by the ANI news agency as saying that the saffron brigade has ordered the police to open fire at farmers.

"Congress leader P.L. Punia said, "Why will Congress spoil the situation in Madhya Pradesh when the BJP is ordering the police to open fire at the farmers that is leading to their death and creating coax in the state? This allegation has rightly proved that the Government does not consider the farmers, poor and the Dalits as a priority in the country," he told the agency.

Another Congress leader P.C. Chacko has asked the centre to look into their own stable before pointing fingers at others.

"Whether it is Venkaiah Naidu or the BJP Government, their certificate or opinion is not important for the Congress party. We strongly feel that the farmers are on the war path and they are genuinely raising their voices. Firstly, the BJP should understand that the Congress is not instigating this act of violence, but the farmers have not been getting their price from the Government, which the Centre should look into," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will go on an indefinite fast, starting from Saturday morning, in an order to restore peace in the agitation-hit state.

The agitation started after at least six farmers were killed in a police firing in Mandsaur city of Madhya Pradesh.

It snowballed further after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tried to reach the place and was detained in the process, however, he was released later.

A video of a Congress MLA inciting an angry mob to perform arson attack has also done the rounds.

The MLA in question, Shakuntala Khatik, was seen inciting the mob into torching a police station.