The Kerala Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution demanding the scrapping of the three contentious central farm laws, against which farmers were agitating in Delhi, saying they were 'anti-farmer' and 'pro-corporate.'

The resolution was passed in a special session convened in compliance with COVID-19 protocols to express solidarity with the agitating farmers.

The members of the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed UDF supported the resolution whole-heartedly.

Though the lone BJP member in the state assembly, O. Rajagopal raised objections against some references in the resolution, he did not object to it.

Moving the resolution, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged the central farm laws have been amended to help the corporates.

"The three contentious agriculture laws were passed even without sending them to the standing committee of the Parliament. If this agitation continues, it will severely affect Kerala, which is a consumer state," he said.

After the nearly two-hour-long discussion, Speaker P Sreeramakrishan put the resolution for a voice vote and said it has been passed.

"Passing of the resolution reflects the sentiments of the House towards the farmers' cause," the Speaker said.

Lone BJP member supports resolution

In a surprise move, the BJP’s lone member in the Kerala Assembly O. Rajagopal supported the scrapping of the three laws.

“The resolution was passed unanimously. I have told my views... with regard to some matters (in the resolution) there was a difference of opinion, which I had pointed out in the House”, he told media persons after the session.

“I fully support the resolution”, he said.

When pointed out that the resolution was for scrapping the three central farm laws, Rajagopal said he supported it (resolution).

“I supported the resolution and the central government should withdraw the three farm laws,” the senior BJP leader said, adding he agreed with the general consensus in the House.

“That is the democratic spirit,” he further said.

When told he was going against his party’s views, Rajagopal said, “ In a democratic system, we need to go as per consensus.”

While speaking during the session, Rajagopal had said the new laws will protect farmers interests and middlemen will be avoided.

Those opposing the laws were standing against farmers, he said adding the new laws would double the income of farmers.