As the standoff between the protesting farmer unions and the central government over farm laws continues, Ajay Chautala, father of JJP founder and Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, has said that he has his son’s resignation letter in his pocket and “can give it immediately” if it helps resolve the matter.

He also took a dig at brother Abhay Chautala’s resignation, saying the resignation of any minister, or that of the Deputy CM won’t resolve the issue but “if it serves any purpose, I would not take a minute”.

“Has Abhay Chautala’s resignation (as Haryana MLA) served any purpose? Dushyant’s resignation is concerned, it is in my pocket. I can immediately give it, if it serves any purpose. The Union government has made these legislations. Either the government resolves this issue or all 10 Lok Sabha MPs from Haryana or all five members of Rajya Sabha, who agree with the government on these laws, resign immediately,” Ajay Chautala said on Saturday.

His statement comes three weeks ahead of Haryana’s upcoming Budget Session and amid rising pressure from protesting farmers and JJP leaders to pull the party out of its alliance with the BJP.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said that some people are agitating just for the “sake of protest”, which reflects their “vested political intent”.

He, however, said the Centre will be ready for any amendement in the laws if required. According to a statement, Khattar said this after a meeting with state MPs in New Delhi, in which their suggestions were sought for the next state budget to be presented in the Haryana assembly in March.

Commenting on the agitation against the farm laws, Khattar said the Centre is clearly of the view that the three laws are for the benefit of farmers and will give a boost to the agricultural sector.

“Some people are protesting just for the sake of protest and it shows their vested political intent, the chief minister said according to the statement. However, if through a positive dialogue, any amendment in these laws is required, then the Union government will always be ready for it,” the CM said, adding that he is hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon.

In the meeting held at the residence of Union minister Rattan Lal Kataria on Friday, the CM said suggestions and expectations of the MPs regarding the development of their constituencies will be looked into during the preparation of the state budget. He said like the previous year, this year too the state’s budget will be prepared after holding discussions with the Haryana MPs. The valuable suggestions given by the MPs will definitely be incorporated in the upcoming budget, the CM said.

The meeting was attended by Rattan Lal Kataria, MPs Arvind Kumar Sharma, Dharambir Singh, Ramesh Chander Kaushik, Nayab Singh Saini, Sanjay Bhatia, Brijendra Singh and Sunita Duggal. Rajya Sabha MPs Lt Gen D P Vats (retd), Dushyant Gautam and Ram Chander Jangra were also present, as per the statement.