MST says that Rui Costa vetoed the participation of landless people on a platform with Lula in Bahia

Lula government

Deputy states that, according to the Minister of the Civil House, the presence of the movement would create embarrassment; Rui Costa denies

Salvador BA) – The MST (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra) stated that it was vetoed by the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, from participating in a federal government act held this Thursday (11) in Salvador with the presence of President Lula (PT).

Alongside the governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), Lula launched Brasil Participativo, a digital platform that will allow the population to participate in decisions on how federal resources should be invested. The act was attended by trade unionists and social movement activists.

The MST veto was announced by federal deputy Valmir Assunção (PT-BA), whose political trajectory is linked to movements for agrarian reform.

In a social network, he stated that the veto came from the Minister of the Civil House. And he informed that, because of the veto, he would not participate in the ceremony: “The MST has a history of struggle and deserves respect.”

In conversation with Folha, the deputy confirmed the veto. He said that the ceremonial of the Presidency of the Republic contacted the MST and that Rui Costa informed that the presence of the landless in the ceremony would create embarrassment.

“Rui Costa was governor for eight years. In the last six, he did not receive social or union movements. It is a characteristic of him”, criticized Assunção. The deputy also pointed out that the creation of the MST’s CPI in the Chamber may have motivated the minister’s decision.

“In addition, there is a CPI in the Federal Chamber and there is a debate on a CPI in the state. I believe that this motivated him to say that the presence of the MST would cause embarrassment”, stated Assunção.

In a note, minister Rui Costa denied that he had vetoed the participation of MST militants in the event. Present at the ceremony, the minister chose not to speak or speak to the press.

Ceres Hadich, a member of the MST’s national leadership, said he regretted the minister’s attitude and reinforced that he remains invited to the National Agrarian Reform Fair, in São Paulo, which should receive a series of ministers and governors.

“We received this news with a little surprise, I believe that it is not a posture of the federal government. We regret the minister’s stance. It was a point outside the curve”, said Hadich to the press.

The imbroglio happens on the same day of the launch of the fair. Considered one of the most important events led by the MST, it will offer 500 tons of organic food produced by families settled in 24 states.

The MST faces conflicts with the Lula government, which has indicated irritation with the invasions carried out by the landless during Red April and has not yet announced a plan for the creation of new rural settlements in the coming years.

In an interview with Folha, João Paulo Rodrigues, a member of the MST’s national coordination, highlighted the entity’s autonomy and said that the movement “does not accept a collar or muzzle” from the government.

At the same time, he highlighted that the MST does not want to create tensions with Lula and says he understands that the impact of the invasions in the press was disproportionate.

*With information from Folha de S.Paulo

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