New Delhi: The ministers offered us food, we denied and are having our langar, which we have brought our own food,” said a farmer leader. “We are not accepting food or tea offered by the government,” another farmer leader said. The second half of the meeting will focus on the government’s version, where agriculture minister Narendra Tomar, his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal and junior minister Som Prakash is expected to speak.

The talks between Union Government and Farmers leaders were ended with Deadlock on Thursday, the government decided to take another rounds of talks on December 05. Demanding a special session of parliament to real the laws, the farmers have said this was the “last chance” for the government.

Sources have said the government is firm on backing the laws. But they are considering other possibilities that would help the farmers come on board. These could include a written assurance about the continuance of the Minimum Support Price, the biggest concern of the farmers. Sources said the government is also considering the farmers’ demand to be able to approach the courts in case of a dispute over contract farming. Under the current rules, such a dispute can only be resolved by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

Visuals from inside Vigyan Bhawan, where the meeting is being held, showed the farmers’ representatives assembled at a long table for a hurried lunch. Some sat on the ground in a quiet corner.

The farmers, however, are adamant that “nothing less than repealing the three farmer laws” will do. Just legalising the Minimum Support Price “will not serve the purpose”, the farmers’ representatives said. “We will not leave till the government repeals the three farmer acts. We will give our demands again,” they added.

Representatives of the farmers’ organisations which are having a crucial meeting with the government, refused to break bread with the three participating Union ministers on Thursday. At the lunch break, farmers said “no” to the food offered by the government and stuck to the langar, which was brought in by a waiting van.