Farmers stir upsets political equations in Haryana

Irreversible political damage to ruling coalition, say analysts

The unexpected announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to repeal the three controversial farm laws — largely seen as guided by the political compulsions due to upcoming elections in northern States — seems to have come “a little too late” for the ruling coalition in Haryana to win back the farming community, mostly the Jats. The “damage has already been done”, say political analysts.

“Irrespective of whether the farm laws are repealed or not, the Jats, the major agricultural land-owning community in the State, have this vicarious feeling of loss of power under the present regime led by a non-Jat Chief Minister after being at the centre of State’s politics for decades, and their opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party will continue. The agitation has further fuelled the community’s opposition to the party,” said Rajendra Sharma, Professor, Political Science, Maharishi Dayanand University.

“But the Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janata Party, the junior coalition partner, could be the biggest loser of the movement with a large chunk of its support base, mostly the Jats, having drifted back to Indian National Lok Dal,” Prof. Sharma said.