aryana CM Manohar Lal addressed a press conference, hours after he was forced to cancel his appearance at a 'kisan mahapanchayat' in Karnal district. The two-time chief minister touched upon a number of issues, including the ongoing farmers' agitation and the political controversy involving the Covid-19 vaccine.

Asked about the violent protests in Karnal earlier in the day, CM Manohar Lal said the state administration had spoken to agitating farmers. "They had agreed to hold a symbolic protest but no agitation. We had made preparations trusting them," he added.

"People had turned up. It is not like they were scared to come to the meeting but it is just some youngsters who created mischief on the helipad. I had almost arrived and would have addressed the gathering but it would have caused trouble," Haryana CM Manohar Lal told reporters at the Haryana Bhawan in Delhi on Sunday.

The Chief Minister further added that he held Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni responsible for instigating the violence in Karnal. Hinting at farmer leaders, Manohar Lal said they too want to increase farmers' incomes like himself but the only difference is their stance on the three new farm laws.

Clarifying the central government's stance, Manohar Lal said he feels the Centre "will not repeal" the three new farm laws. He also accused the Congress and Left parties of playing a major role in the ongoing farmers' agitation.

Responding to a question about Haryana government's Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan, CM Manohar Lal said the vaccine will be made available free of cost to those who cannot afford it. He further hinted that a subsidy model will prove effective in this regard.

(With inputs from agencies)