Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy has claimed that he has spoken to a dozen MPs of the BJP about what he thinks should be done to end the stalemate between the Narendra Modi government and sections of farmers from Punjab and Haryana. In Swamy's considered opinion, the implementation of farm laws should be left to the States and, if they are not keen on reforms, they shouldn't be forced to accept the Centre's laws.

"A dozen BJP MPs had informal chat with me today about how to deal with the farmer agitation. I suggested that the rules to the reforms should say that the Acts will apply only to those States that write to the Centre asking for its implementation for their states. All MPs agreed," the MP, who has been critical of the Modi government on several issues, wrote.

There is an apprehension that Swamy's recommendation, if implemented, will lead to an unpredictable environment. Investments are made by corporates and private players in warehouses, cold chains, etc. only when they are assured of consistency and predictable environment. If a state can reverse the reforms at will, private investments will take a beating. For example, let's say the current Telangana government allows the dilution of the Essential Commodities Act, and a private company makes investments in building storages. Five years later, the next government could reimpose the Act and make the hoarding of agri produce illegal. This will scare the daylights out of private players.