Synopsis Expressing readiness for a ‘clause-by-clause’ discussion on farm bills, Modi asked the Opposition to specify how the laws adversely affected farmers. How PM Modi used the post of ‘Churchill Cigar Assistant’ to defend farm laws in Lok Sabha New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the contentious farm laws in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and said its provisions were ‘optional’ and not ‘compulsory’, as farmers had the choice on where to sell their produce. Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Modi renewed his government’s talks offer with agitating farmers on ‘any point of concern’. Modi also used the floor to distinguish the difference between ‘andolankari’ (agitator) and his controversial ‘andolanjeevi’ (professional agitator) jibe used in the Rajya Sabha, by arguing the professional agitator destroyed the sanctity of democratic agitations.