Feeling ‘betrayed’ by BJP, farmers reach out to voters

Around four months after the Lok Sabha elections, the issues related to farmers remain a central issue in these Assembly elections. Farmer unions are actively reaching out to voters, urging them to oppose BJP candidates across the state.

Vikram Kasana, the youth state president of BKU (Charuni), highlighted the unaddressed concerns of farmers, such as the non-implementation of laws guaranteeing the procurement of crops at minimum support price (MSP) and the long-pending demand for a debt waiver. “The government has failed to address these critical issues, leaving farmers in distress. We protested for nearly 13 months on the borders of Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised us to implement our demands and we lifted the blockade. However, the BJP has betrayed us by not fulfiling its promise,” said Kasana.

He also highlighted the lathicharge on farmers in different parts of the state during the protest. Kasana also said farmers of Punjab were sitting on the border of Haryana and Punjab, but they are not allowed to go to Delhi, which is also a major reason for brewing resentment against the farming community.

Stressing mobilisation efforts being undertaken by BKU leaders, Kasana said: “We are going village to village to oppose the BJP candidates in all four Assembly segments. The government’s neglect of farmers’ issues, especially the MSP and debt relief, will not be overlooked this election season.”

Hoshiar Singh Gill, state president BKU (Dhana Bhagat), said after holding a meeting in Uchana in Jind, they will hold a meeting of farmers in Pipli against the government. “Farmer unions will hold a mahapanchayat on September 21 in Pipli to decide the further strategy,” he said, adding that they would continue to oppose the BJP in these elections.

On the other hand, BJP leaders claimed that the BJP was the only party which was purchasing the maximum 24 crops at MSP. “The BJP government has made maximum efforts for the welfare of farmers. We have ensured the transfer of payments directly to the farmers’ accounts. We have already had dialogues with farmers on their issues and presently Haryana is the state where nearly 50 farmers’ welfare schemes are going on,” said Praveen Attrey, a BJP spokesperson.

Mahapanchayat on September 21

Farmer unions will hold a mahapanchayat on September 21 at Pipli to decide the further strategy. We will continue to oppose the BJP in these elections. — Hoshiar Singh Gill, BKU (dhana bhagat) state president