To contest poll, 22 farm outfits float Samyukt Samaj Morcha

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25

As many as 22 farmer unions of Punjab, which were part of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) that led the struggle against the three central farm laws, have joined hands to form the Samyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

The morcha leaders met here today and after a meeting, which lasted several hours, announced their decision to contest the elections on all 117 Assembly segments under the leadership of BKU (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal.

Though the leaders claimed they would not join hands with any other party, sources amongst the farmer leaders as well as the Aam Aadmi Party confirmed to The Tribune an alliance is in the works. A meeting of some prominent leaders of the SSM and a prominent Delhi-based AAP leader was held late last night. Sources say a common minimum programme is being worked out between the two sides, before the alliance is formally announced.

Incidentally, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal was in Punjab today. Unconfirmed reports suggest a meeting between top leaders of the newly formed morcha and the AAP top brass was expected shortly. Prem Singh Bhangu of the All-India Kisan Federation told The Tribune: “Our agenda is that the vote against Congress, SAD and BJP should not be divided, but consolidated.”

Meanwhile, of the 22 unions that claimed to be part of the alliance, leaders of only 19 unions were present today’s meeting. Three unions that the SSM claimed to be party to the decision — BKU (Dakaunda), BKU (Lakhowal) and BKU (Major Punawal) — were not present at the meeting.

Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary, BKU (Dakaunda), said though their union would not contest the election, they would not oppose leaders who are taking the political plunge. He said a meeting of their union was slated for December 27 to discuss the issue.

Harmeet Singh Qadian, general secretary, BKU (Qadian), said the SKM was formed to get the three central farm laws repealed. “After these were repealed, there was overwhelming public pressure to throw our hat in the political arena and provide people an alternative political platform that would deal with issues such as drug trafficking, illegal mining, etc. Thus we have launched the SSM,” he said, adding they would represent every section of society.

Rajewal said he would urge like-minded people to come together for a brighter future of Punjab. “We urge you to part your ways with parties that have looted the state and its people,” he added.

Of the 32 unions part of the SKM, nine — Krantikari Kisan Union (Dr Darshan Pal), BKU Krantikari (Surjit Phool), BKU Sidhupur (Jagjit Dallewal), Azad Kisan Committee Doaba (Harpal Sangha), Jai Kisan Andolan (Gurbakhsh Barnala), Dasuha Ganna Sangharsh Committee (Sukhpal Daffar), Kisan Sangharsh Committee Punjab (Inderjit Kotbudha), Lok Bhalai Insaaf Welfare Society (Baldev Sirsa) and Kirti Kisan Union Punjab (Hardev Sandhu) — have refused to be part of the political front.

3 unions skip meet

Of the 22 unions that have formed the political outfit, leaders of only 19 attended Saturday’s meeting. Three unions that the SSM claimed to be party to the decision — BKU (Dakaunda), BKU (Lakhowal) and BKU (Major Punawal) — were not present. Of the 32 unions part of the SKM, nine have already refused to be part of the political front, while there is no clarity on the 10th.