Kisan panchayat part of AAP plan to make its presence felt in UP
MEERUT : With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) looking to create political space for itself in Uttar Pradesh in the run-up to the 2022 assembly elections, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal described himself as “beta” (son) and “chhota bhai” (younger brother) of farmers as he sought to strike a chord with them at his party’s maiden Kisan Mahapanchayat in Meerut on Sunday.
He tried to touch upon all those issues that have been of concern to farmers and others in the western Uttar Pradesh region , which is close to Delhi where AAP is in power.
“Therefore, it is easier for AAP to influence people of the region by highlighting the success of the party’s policies in Delhi. And they believe that ongoing farmers’ movement could be an opportunity for them to connect with people in the region and other parts of the state,” a political expert said.
AAP has already announced it would contest the 2022 assembly elections in UP.
Political analyst Jamshed Zaidi said Kejriwal tried to look for issues affecting the people.
“But his party and he are mainly active in Delhi, which has urban voters and any support to AAP in the (western UP) region would cut into the urban supporters of the BJP,” Zaidi added. In his speech, Kejriwal emphasised that he tried to provide very possible assistance to agitating farmers at the Ghazipur and other borders of Delhi. The farmers are demanding the repeal of the Centre’s three contentious farm reform laws.
“It should not be an issue for the Union government even if it
AAP HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED IT WOULD CONTEST THE 2022 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN UP.
suffers a loss of Rs 1-2 lakh crore by purchasing crops at MSP (minimum support price) for the happiness of millions of farmers,” he said in the backdrop of the agitation.
He also mentioned a formula in this connection. The Delhi chief minister also brought up the issue of sugarcane payment arrears. Sugarcane is a very important crop for the region’s rural economy and politics.
He asked why the state government was unable to mount pressure for clearance of these dues.
He spoke about how he “tamed” mighty power distribution companies in Delhi to ensure that people get free electricity and uninterrupted power supply.
He again said, “If you bring a government with good intentions .... would (get) free electricity and water in villages.”
The Delhi chief minister claimed the weight of a fertiliser bag had been reduced to 45 kg (from 50 kg) but its price would be increased. He also criticised the government on the increasing prices of diesel, petrol and cooking gas cylinders.
A rallyist brought a cooking gas cylinder to the mahapanchayat as a symbolic protest against the increasing prices.
AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, who played a key role in holding the mahapanchayat, has been attacking the Yogi Adityanath over various issues in the last few months.