Farmers ready with posers for leaders visiting villages

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 23

“Don’t come to villages, you have not done anything for us. Don’t ruin the atmosphere. Go to Delhi. Gherao Parliament and get the farm laws repealed.” This video statement addressed to politicians by Satnam Singh, president, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, on July 17 sums up the mood of farmer unions under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.

Even as farmers hold a parallel ‘Kisan Sansad’ in Delhi, in Punjab, teams of farmers are planning to offer stiff opposition to politicians visiting villages ahead of the elections. “We’ll boycott BJP leaders and ask others some tough questions,” says a union leader.

The SKM has asked its members to stay away from any political event. The BKU (Rajewal) has created district-wise patrol teams of farmers to question political leaders in every village they visit.

Posters have been issued stating all leaders entering villages will be opposed if they haven’t fulfilled their manifesto promise or have supported the farm laws.

Kashmira Singh, BKU (Rajewal) spokesperson, Jalandhar, said: “We have constituted two patrol teams in each district which shall visit villages where political leaders plan to come.”