New Delhi: In a rare show of solidarity, more than 100 opposition MPs and political leaders led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi today marched from Parliament house to Rashtraparti Bhawan to seek intervention from president Pranab Mukherjee in the controversial land acquisition bill .
Here are 10 highlights of the protest march what promiment opposition leadeders said.
1) Sonia Gandhi speaks during protest march
All secular democratic forces are determined to defeat the Modi govt's "design to promote divisions and social disharmony.Fourteen political parties have come together here to protect the interest of the farmers and ask the Modi government not to go ahead with amendments in Rajya Sabha,"
2) Sharad yadav comments on the land bill
This is going to be 'aar-paar' (do or die) battle; We have sounded the bugle for the war: JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. People have come here united, will take this fight to every farmer in every corner of India. Modi govt has 31% of popular vote, all of us represent 69% of people. We were divided, but we're now together.
3) D Raja, CPI leader
President's intervention is necessary as it is a draconian bill which is anti-farmers: D Raja, CPI
4) Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress MP
This bill is anti-farmer, anti-nation: Clauses which we (Congress) have inserted for the farmers' benefit have been trashed.
5) Derek O'Brien,TMC leader
All parties are together today, this is a historic march, hope Modi govt is watching this march:
6) Deependra singh Hooda Congress leader from Haryana
Farmers consent and social impact clauses are the most important for us.
7) Kanimozhi, DMK Mp
We are united on this. It is an anti-farmer bill. People opposing the bill are a majority.
8) Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh also joins opposition's protest march against land ordinance.
9) Arun Jaitley comments on the opposition parties' protest march.
Congress has adopted obstructionism both as a strategy and now almost as an ideology. If Congress has serious objection, the ordinance gives discretion to state govts to continue under the old law.
10) MPs allowed to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.
