Haryana farm unions have vowed to intensify their boycott of the MLAs who supported the BJP-JJP government in Wednesday’s no-confidence motion, saying they would have no political future in the State.
At a press conference on Wednesday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha also laid out its agenda for the rest of the month, including plans for a Bharat Bandh on March 26 to mark four months of the movement.
“The no-confidence motion has clearly exposed who stands with the farmers and the workers, and who stands against us,” said Vikas Sisar, who heads the Bharatiya Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. He said the Haryana unions would decide how to intensify the social boycott of BJP and JJP leaders who are already not being allowed to enter their own villages.
The Congress’s no-confidence motion was defeated 32-55 in the Assembly. “The anti-farmer face of the JJP, which describes itself as a party belonging to the farming community, has been completely exposed. These MLAs have no political future,” said an SKM statement. “Farmers have sown seeds of opposition and resistance against these anti farmer faces, and results will be harvested soon,” it added.
Some SKM leaders attended an election rally against the BJP in Kolkata on Wednesday, calling on citizens to vote against the party in the West Bengal elections. Senior SKM leaders are expected to address a larger rally on Friday.
Protests plans
Although many union leaders are focussed on poll campaigning this month, they have also laid out a full calendar of events. “On March 15, we will highlight the rising prices of petrol and diesel and other essential commodities as part of the anti-privatisation and anti-corporates protest with trade unions,” said Buta Singh Burjgill, a veteran Punjab leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.
Other events include a day-long nationwide strike on March 26, protests in mandis on March 19, youth participation in protests on March 23 to commemorate the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, and the burning of the three farm laws in Holi fires on March 28.
Darshan Pal’s comment
Asked about The Hindu ’s interview with Krantikari Kisan Union leader Darshan Pal, who hinted at a more nuanced approach to negotiations with the government, Mr. Burjgill said Dr. Pal would be asked to clarify his remarks at the next meeting of the SKM. He reiterated that there was no dilution of the SKM’s demands with regard to the repeal of the three farm reform laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support prices.
