Won’t end ‘Dilli Chalo’ stir until demands met, says farm leader

Chandigarh, February 24

Farmers participating in the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march would not end their agitation until their demands are met, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Saturday while indicating that their stir may continue even after the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha poll comes into force.

Thousands of farmers have been staying put at the Khanauri and Shambhu barriers along with their tractor-trailers after their march to the national capital to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by the security forces.

On February 21, the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march, spearheaded by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), was put on hold by farm leaders for two days after a protester was killed and around 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri.

Speaking to reporters at the Shambhu barrier, KMM leader Pandher said they would announce their next course of action on February 29.

“It is certain that this agitation will continue as long as (our) demands are not met. If they (Centre) accept our demands tomorrow, we will take a decision on the agitation,” he said.

About the imposition of the model code of conduct when the Election Commission announces the schedule for the Lok Sabha poll, Pandher said, “We do not have to distribute tickets for MPs. So, we do not need to worry about the model code of conduct. We are not going to campaign at polling booths.” “We are not worried (about the code of conduct). We are thinking that the agitation may continue even when the model code of conduct is in force,” he said.

According to farm leaders, the protesters will continue to camp at the two protest sites till February 29 when the next course of action will be decided. Four rounds of talks between farmer leaders and Union minister to end the stalemate failed to achieve any breakthrough.