New Delhi: Union minister Nitin Gadkari wrote letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, social activist Anna Hazare, among others, for “an open debate” on the Land Bill. With the government facing an uphill task over its move to amend the land acquisition law, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has shot off letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and social activist Anna Hazare, among others, inviting them to “an open debate at any forum”.

The minister alleged that the Opposition parties were trying to stall amendments to the land acquisition law for political reasons.

Mr Gadkari, who as rural development minister had drafted amendments to the land acquisition law passed by the UPA government in 2013, said in his letter that the government would not compromise on farmers’ interests.

Mr Hazare and the Congress have separately held agitations over the proposed amendment.

“The government has brought significant amendments to the land acquisition bill keeping the interest of farmers and rural development in mind,” wrote Mr Gadkari.

Countering the Opposition’s claim that the new bill will favour corporate groups and private enterprises, Mr Gadkari argued in the letter that “no compromise has been made in the bill with compensation provisions for landowners, and there is no anti-farmer provision... Rather it will bring prosperity to villages and farmers”.

Congress, meanwhile, took a jibe at the government over Mr Gadkari’s letter asking “why this sudden wisdom has dawned” on them and whether BJP was facing “jitters”. Party accused the Centre of “hoodwinking” people through “diversionary” tactics.