Sonia Gandhi writes to Nitin Gadkari on the Land Bill. "Your proposed legislation makes a mockery of your claim that you stand for the interests of farmers. Your governments position on defense, irrigation and electrification issues is a blatant attempt to divert attention and cannot be at the cost of pushing farmers into a pitiable condition or destroying their livelihoods.

"I wish to reiterate that the 2013 law is not a legacy of just the Congress party... it is a legacy of all parties including the BJP.  We shall never endorse any law that will break the backbone of this nation. Urge you to rise above the realm of narrow partisan politics and bring back the 2013 law in totality. "

With the land acquisition ordinance set to lapse on April 5, the government appears to be heading towards its repromulgation amid indications that at least one of the Houses could be prorogued for the purpose.

Parliament is currently on a month-long recess during the ongoing Budget session. At least one of the Houses has to be prorogued if Parliament is in session to issue an ordinance.