BATHINDA: The 32 farmer organisations of Punjab which are part of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have decided to ask political parties of Punjab not to indulge in electioneering till the Election Commission declared the poll schedule and defer campaigning if the parties had already started it as it could hurt the ongoing farmer struggle.
Farm groups, however, have decided to give political parties, except BJP, a chance to put their viewpoint forward about reasons behind indulging in electioneering ahead of the assembly elections in Punjab in 2022. Farm groups have asked parties to send top representatives, either presidents or their representatives, for the meeting with farm leaders in Chandigarh on September 10.
Farm groups have decided to hold a meeting with parties after outfits, especially Shiromani Akali Dal, showed willingness to meet them and had even written a letter. Insiders told TOI that farm groups had only given a chance to listen to parties, but the decision for asking them to defer activities was final. The farm groups have said they will take the next course of action shortly if parties did not follow suit.
The decision was taken in a meeting held at Singhu border of Haryana and Delhi on Wednesday.
At many villages, residents have already put banners banning entry of politicians for political purposes.
Farm leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said, “As some parties wanted to put their viewpoint, we have decided to go to Chandigarh on September 10 to meet representatives of political parties, though we will ask them to suspend their activities till election schedule is not announced. We do not want any confrontation with parties as is happening now, especially at Moga. We will convince them that as a lot of time is still left to elections, they should not visit different places and only start campaigning at appropriate time.”
Farm leaders Ruldu Singh Mansa and Manjit Singh Dhaner said the parties claimed that they were supporters of farm struggle, but if they would not obey their suggestion, it would be assumed they were anti-farmer.
Farm group Kirti Kisan Union had earlier given the slogan “jadoo tak Dilli morcha, udo tak chona nahi” (no elections till the time there is a protest on the borders of Delhi). Going by it, they had opposed Sukhbir Badal at Moga and a clash ensued. Now, other farm groups from Punjab too want political parties not to go ahead with campaigning, said Sandhu.
