Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers disrupt BJP’s MC poll meeting

Even though the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) had long ended its sit-in outside Abohar BJP MLA Arun Narang’s residence at the Gaushala Road here, the first general meeting organised by the BJP to discuss Municipal Corporation poll campaign Thursday night was disrupted by farmers.The immediate provocation was said to be the statements given by former minister Surjit Jyani of Fazilka and kisan wing leader Harjit Singh Grewal who Thursday targeted senior BKU leaders for continuing the stir. Both the leaders gave a call to farmer leaders to give up “stubborn” attitude. Grewal was quoted as saying in an interview that some leaders had ambition to contest the next Vidhan Sabha elections and were not ready to end the Delhi stir.Feeling hurt, farmers last night surrounded the BJP’s meeting venue and said protests would be held at party’s all venues during its election campaign.Cops had a tough time in preventing a clash between BJP workers and farmers at Arorvansh Dharamshala where the saffron party had organised the first major meeting to mobilise workers for the MC elections.The situation became tense as farmers gathered around the building and raised “Modi Murdabad” slogans to which BJP workers responded by shouting “Modi Zindabad”.MLA Arun Narang and District BJP president Rakesh Dhuria were present at the meeting. They were discussing about the candidates to be fielded, besides preparations for meetings to mobilise support. Narang tried to convince the protesters that the Centre was engaged in talks with the farmers to resolve their issues and Punjab leaders too met the PM.Cops led by City-1 police station in charge Tejinderpal Singh reached the venue and rescued MLA and others.

The Tribune

2021-01-09