AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal during a rally in Chhattarpur. (Source: Express Photo By Oinam Anand) AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal during a rally in Chhattarpur. (Source: Express Photo By Oinam Anand)

In a two-part Delhi Dialogue aimed at wooing voters in the capital’s rural areas, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday kick-started a nationwide campaign to oppose the Central government’s decision to amend the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

Addressing a gathering at Chhattarpur, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal criticised the Centre’s move. “Two days ago, the BJP-led Central government brought about an amendment to the Land Acquisition Act. Earlier, the government had to seek the consent of 70 per cent of farmers before they could acquire land. Now, the law states that no such permission from farmers is required. This is dangerous. What is the reason behind this move?” Kejriwal asked.

Alleging that the government’s move was aimed at appeasing a section of big businesses — which had funded the party’s Lok Sabha campaign — Kejriwal said, “The BJP spent around Rs 20,000 crore (on campaigning). The people who gave the party this money are pressuring them now. This amendment has been brought about to bring benefits to these few people. We strongly oppose this.”

The former Delhi Chief Minister also pointed to the steps taken by the government regarding unauthorised colonies.

“In Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority acquired a lot of land in the 70s and 80s but many farmers did not get compensation. This transfer happened on paper. There are a lot of unauthorised colonies in Chhattarpur. A large part of this land is now government land. Now, the government can demolish the buildings which have been constructed on this land or ask the residents to pay the market price of these properties.Many people have approached the High Court but with the BJP enacting a law, neither the High Court or the Supreme Court can do anything,” he said.

Kejriwal further warned the audience against voting for the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. He assured them that if the AAP came to power, it would work for rural residents of the capital.

“If Kejriwal comes to power, he will not let the Narendra Modi government take away your land. Another issue which the AAP will address is the expansion of lal dora land in villages. The AAP government will sit with villagers and discuss the manner in which lal dora land can be expanded in these areas,” a party leader said.

The AAP leader also pointed out to the work its 49-day government had undertaken and compared it to the performance of the BJP in the last six months.

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