"Here To Save Punjab, People With Us": Farmers' Body On Contesting Polls
NDTV
Samyukta Samaj Morcha president Balbir Singh Rajewal said that he was "pressured by the people" to contest polls as they have lost hope from the traditional parties.
The decision to contest elections in Punjab was taken as people wanted us to clear the "filth" created by political parties, a key member of farmer group which is contesting the assembly elections told NDTV. Samyukta Samaj Morcha Chief Balbir Singh Rajewal, while ruling out an alliance with Aam Aadmi Party, was also critical of the Arvind Kejriwal party's chief ministerial choice, Bhagwant Mann.
"We are here to save Punjab, to improve the system. The situation in Punjab is getting worse. Children here have lost hope. They are migrating in large numbers due to unemployment. There are no jobs. This will increase the crime rate," Mr Rajewal said.
The 80-year-old farmer leader said that he was "pressured by the people" to contest polls as they have lost hope from the traditional parties.
"Politicians in the state are not doing anything. There is administrative corruption. Politicians have digressed from a traditional motive of service to the people. The Aam Aadmi (common man) is facing difficulty," Mr Rajewal, who claims to be one of the founders of the farmer movement, said.
