Trouble mounts for saffron party leaders

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28

Trouble seems to be mounting for local BJP leaders with the Union Government turning a deaf ear to protesting farmers’ demands.

After disrupting BJP’s functions to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, protesters have shifted focus to two party mediators — Surjit Kumar Jyani and Harjit Singh Grewal.

After laying siege to Jyani’s house in Fazilka, people from Dhanuala village, from where Grewal hails, have now passed a resolution asking people not to take his land on lease in the village. Grewal owns around five acres there.

They say even if someone from outside takes his land on lease, they will oppose the move, adding they will only allow it for use as a “gaushala”.

Accusing Grewal of using derogatory language against protesting farmers, villagers led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) and BKU (Ugrahan) say they will hold protests if Grewal visits Ludhiana.

Earlier, a large gathering at Kila Raipur, known as the ‘capital of Grewals’, had decided to boycott the BJP leader.

Reacting to the development, Grewal said he would take legal action against the protesters. “I am not scared of such threats,” the BJP leader said.

After Jyani, Grewal faces farmers’ ire

• Dhanaula village in Barnala has passed a resolution asking people not to take BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal’s land on lease in the village
• The BJP leader said he would take legal action against any such move