Mr Javadekar had posted a picture of Mr Tharoor’s tweet from 2010 where he had highlighted the need of the private sector’s participation in grain storage.
Amid ongoing farmers’ protest over new farm laws, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Prakash Javadekar and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today engaged in a verbal spat on Twitter after the former posted an old tweet by Mr Tharoor. Mr Javadekar had posted a picture of Mr Tharoor’s tweet from 2010 where he had highlighted the need of the private sector’s participation in grain storage.
Mr Tharoor’s tweet from 2010 said: “It seems we waste more wheat every year 2storage &distribution losses than Australia grows! Real need for private sector 2move into grain storage.”
Mr Javadekar, posting the screenshot of this tweet by the Congress leader, said: “Another exposition of Congress’ hypocrisy on #FarmLaws. Here is a tweet by @ShashiTharoor in 2010… And now #Congress thinks exactly the opposite.”
Another exposition of Congress' hypocrisy on #FarmLaws. Here is a tweet by @ShashiTharoor in 2010… And now #Congress thinks exactly the opposite. pic.twitter.com/5IwOIpeR67
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) February 6, 2021
The tweet came in the wake of massive protests by farmers against the new three farm laws, one of which opens the path for the private sector to participate in grain storage and hoarding of grains. The protest is supported by the opposition Congress party.
Responding to the tweet by the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Tharoor said: “Prakash-bhai, Does my tweet mention or imply anything about removing MSP or amending ECA to allow hoarding? Or aren’t you aware of farmers’ demands? Surely it’d be better for a Minister of Information & Broadcasting to stop Broadcasting Misinformation this way. @PrakashJavadekar.”
Prakash-bhai, Does my tweet mention or imply anything about removing MSP or amending ECA to allow hoarding? Or aren't you aware of farmers’ demands? Surely it’d be better for a Minister of Information & Broadcasting to stop Broadcasting Misinformation this way. @PrakashJavadekar
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 6, 2021
The farmers have insisted that the new laws will leave them to the mercy of corporate players, with a guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and scrapping of new Essential Commodity Act (ECA) at the centre of their demands.
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