The political front of the farmers in Punjab will be led by Balbir Singh Rajewal. Three farm bodies including BKU (Dakounda) and BKU (Lakhowal) will decide shortly whether to join the party.
Around 22 unions of farmers, who were part of the United Kisan Morcha, which helped fuel the year-long protests against three controversial agriculture bills, came together to form the United Samaj Morcha, a political unit to take the party in the Punjab Assembly elections. Huh. Balbir Singh Rajewal will lead the farmers' political front in Punjab. Three agricultural bodies including BKU (Dakonda) and BKU (Lakhowal) will soon decide whether to join the party or not. They will contest from all 117 seats, farmer leaders confirmed on Saturday.
Rajewal said he was under tremendous pressure from the people of Punjab to contest the elections after the withdrawal of three controversial agricultural laws in a farmer's victory. Punjab is facing many problems like drugs, unemployment and exodus of youth from the state which they want to address.
The agricultural laws, year-long protests against them and finally the withdrawal of those laws in the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the stage for the assembly elections in Punjab. In their big decision to contest this crucial election, the Kisan Sangh may demand an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party, it is being speculated. Farmer leaders said any such alliance would be announced later.
Several farm unions, which were part of the SKM, the umbrella organisation, decided to stay away from electoral politics. Kirti Kisan Sangh, Krantikari Kisan Sangh, BKU-Krantikari, Doaba Sangharsh Samiti, BKU-Sidhupur, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and Jai Kisan Andolan are against joining the ground. The banner of SKM is unlikely to be used for election campaign.