Amid farmers' stir, PM wishes ex-ally Parkash Badal on his birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, who has been severely critical of the Centre over the contentious farm sector laws, and extended best wishes to him on his 93rd birthday.

Government sources said the prime minister called up the former Punjab chief minister to wish him. No other details of the conversation were shared.

Badal had on Monday urged Modi to scrap the three new central farm laws, claiming they have pushed the country into a deep turmoil.

Once a staunch ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Akali Dal has severed the ties in protest against the laws

Badal also announced the return of his Padma Vibhushan award in protest as farmers' stir against the laws intensified.