BJP leaders face farmers’ ire in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: BJP candidates across Punjab are finding it difficult to campaign for Lok Sabha elections especially in rural parts, with various farmers’ groups giving a call to not allow the nominees of the country’s ruling party to canvass in the state.
The BJP has so far declared its candidates for nine out of Punjab’s 13 seats — all of which will vote on June 1. In the last 15 days, BJP candidates in the agrarian state have come across at least 40 protests from various farmer groups, who not only raise antiparty slogans and show black flags but on occasions, also heckle them and halt their movements.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the farmer union at the centre of the ongoing farmers’ protests at border points in the state, has given a call for not allowing BJP candidates to canvas, especially in rural areas. Data from the intelligence wing of the Punjab Police suggests that maximum 15 protests have occurred in Faridkot, from where the BJP has fielded Hans Raaj Hans. Ever since he started his campaign on April 4, the singer-politician has faced farmer unions’ protest almost every day. On Wednesday, tension prevailed in Arainwala village when the North West Delhi MP was stopped by farmers from reaching a rally venue. A large police unit, led by an SP-rank officer, had to intervene. More than 25 protesters were detained.
Similar protests were seen elsewhere as well during the BJP poll functions. State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, said farmer unions are being “misled” to protest against party candidates. “...Farmers should not follow footsteps of Bhagwant Mann who is always hell bent to trivialise the serious issues concerning state.”
Jasvir Singh, leader of BKU (Ekta Ughrahan) in Bathinda, however, said: “It’s tit for tat for BJP from our side. They didn’t not allow farmers to enter Delhi and now we would not allow them to enter in our village.”