BJPlookstoresolverowto shield its Punjab prospects
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership is pushing for an early, amicable resolution of the farmers’ protests, which it thinks could threaten to derail the party’s expansion plans in Punjab — where the protests are concentrated — and weaken the government’s pro-farmers image, people aware of the details said on condition of anonymity.
BJP functionaries remain optimistic that the logjam will be resolved although talks between the government and farmers’ representatives ended inconclusively on Tuesday and paved the way for another meeting on Thursday.
A senior party functionary said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Monday that the three farm laws aimed at liberalising agricultural markets were beneficial to farmers and that the protesters had been misled was an indication that the government was ready to address their concerns. Even so, a rollback may not be on the cards, the functionary added.
“The genuine grievances of the farmers will be addressed. They have concerns over some aspects such as whether the government will continue providing MSP [Minimum Support Price].
We are ready to answer those concerns. The demand for a rollback is based on rumours and fear stoked by the Opposition,” the functionary said.
On Tuesday, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal attended a meeting over the farmers’ protest at BJP chief JP Nadda’s residence.
The party has also stepped up efforts to reach out to farmers’ groups, sending senior functionaries to set the “record straight”.
“From ministers to MPs to functionaries at the block level, everyone will act as an emissary of the government and clear the misconception of the farmers,” said a second functionary.
The party is reiterating the measures its government has
taken to improve the lot of farmers such as the introduction of soil health cards, irrigation and micro irrigation facilities and cash benefits from the Kisan Samman Nidhi.
“But the Opposition has created fear that the government will not support MSP,” the second functionary said.
Party leaders have been pointing out that the protests are limited to Punjab and parts of Haryana, calling it proof that the Congress was misleading farmers. “Farmers elsewhere have understood how small and marginal farmers stand to gain from the new laws. It is only in Punjab where the Congress government has created fear in their minds,” he said.