With Saturday's skirmish between protesting farmers and policemen in Greater Noida leaving four dead, the Congress had only the sharpest criticism reserved for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and her government.

On Monday, Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari condemned the UP government's land acqusition policy whihc is said to be at the heart of the violence over the weekend.

Tiwari said that issue is serious and it will have far-reaching consequences. Demanding for a probe into the violence and adequate compensation for farmers' land, Tiwari said, "Lathis and bullets can't bring development. The Uttar Pradesh government must initiate a dialogue and arrive at an amicable solution.” Tiwari also said urged upon the government to discuss the issue with farmers.

Terming the Mayawati government "extremely insensitive" to the cause of farmers and the poor, Tiwari said that the land acquisition act must be amended. He even reminded Mayawati of Singur and Nandigram. He said, “Mayawati should learn from Singur and Nandigram incidents. Because of the local people angst West Bengal government had to postpone its decision on land acquisition”.

On the allegations of government officials being held hostage by militant farmers, he said "We do  not support any hostage taking by the farmers. We ask them to come forward for talks just like we have exhorted the state government." However, the Congress spokesperson steered clear of commenting on the violent clashes.

Demanding higher compensation for their lands acquired by the state government, the farmers have been agitating since January 2011.