Farmers’ plea puts parties in election-bound Punjab in a fix

Last week, SKM asked them not to campaign until EC announces the poll schedule

Punjab-based farmer outfits agitating against the Centre’s farm laws have urged the political parties in Punjab not to campaign in the run-up to Assembly polls until the Election Commission announced the schedule for the election. This request has left the key parties in a fix surrounding their electioneering as none can afford to lose the farmer vote bank.

Unions associated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) last week convened a meeting of non-BJP parties, asking them not to campaign until the EC announced the poll schedule, citing that the ongoing political campaign is affecting the farmers’ agitation. They announced that those who violate the appeal will be considered anti-farmer, and the agriculturists will protest against them as well in addition to the BJP and its allies.

While the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ruling Congress have extended their support for the ongoing farmers’ movement, yet questions are being raised by the parties on the “unfair” decision of the SKM.