Nitish Kumar to fast against land acquisition bill

Patna, March 1 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced a one-day fast -- and asked people across the state to join him -- in protest against the land acquisition amendment bill.

Nitish Kumar asked people to put pressure on the Narendra Modi government to withdraw the relevant bill. He, however, did not announce the date of the fast.

"I appeal to the people to join a one-day fast to protest against the land acquisition amendment bill," the Janata Dal-United leader said while addressing thousands of party workers at the Gandhi Maidan here.

Nitish Kumar described the land acquisition amendment bill as a "black law", which was against the interests of farmers.

"I and my party have been opposing this black law and I appeal to party workers and leaders to launch a campaign against it to safeguard farmers' interests," he said.

The chief minister targeted Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying that after getting votes from farmers in the Lok Sabha election, they (BJP) have forgotten the farmers and left them in the lurch.

"Now, Modi and the BJP are hell bent on snatching the farmers' lands to benefit industrialists," he said.

Nitish Kumar said the Modi government should take back the law or face a countrywide protest.

"The land acquisition amendment bill is anti-farmer and anti-people," he said.

"Without consulting farmers and without wider discussion on the legislation, the bill has been brought," he claimed.