Continuing their agitation in Haryana ahead of the assembly elections, farmer groups have once again expressed their opposition to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At the same time, farmer groups are planning to organize Maha Panchayat once again to raise awareness about these issues and pending demands. Haryana was a major center of farmers’ protests against the repealed agricultural laws in 2020-21. The movement was organized under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Later it split into several groups and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) was formed.
A few days ago, the Haryana BJP president, while talking to the Indian Express, said that the word farmer encompasses many types of people. There is a specific class of protesting farmers who have their own ideology. But, BJP is the only party that has worked for the welfare of farmers. The Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has benefited farmers across the country, irrespective of their caste, region or religion. According to Mohan Lal Baroli, it is our responsibility to think and work for the welfare of farmers. We are following PM Modi’s slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas and Sabka Vishwas. Our government is always ready to talk to farmers.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), along with SKM (non-political), is leading the ongoing protest at Shambhu and Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. Both these farmer groups are opposed to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and their demands are similar. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohad of SKM (non-political) said that the impact of the farmers’ protest was also seen in the recent Lok Sabha elections and the protests that are taking place have made the people of rural areas realize that they should vote on the basis of their issues.
He said, ‘Issues like Minimum Support Price (MSP) and implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations are major factors in rural Haryana.’ Kohad also said that issues like reduction in funds of Agniveer Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are also prominent in the rural areas of the state. As the sit-in continued at Shambhu and Khanauri border, Kohad said that the ‘atrocities’ committed on the protesters have not been forgotten. Sumit Singh, secretary of All India Kisan Sabha, Haryana, which is part of the United Kisan Morcha, said that farmers’ issues will dominate the upcoming elections in rural areas.
Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni, head of Bharatiya Kisan Union Haryana and founder of the United Sangharsh Party, also said that people are against the BJP, but he agreed that votes could be divided against the ruling party. Chaduni said, ‘This can happen due to the mistake of Congress. It should have formed an alliance with us.’ He said, ‘We have formed a political party and we are trying to explain to the farmers that their direct participation in the government is important to get our demands accepted.’ Voting for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 1 and the results will be declared on October 4.
