Farmers Movement Archive

‘Aggressive incumbent’ BJP now ‘victimised oppn’

Jalandhar: In Punjab, BJP has changed its stance from wholeheartedly defending farm laws to protesting against the Congress government in Punjab, pointing out that it too had a right to hold its events. At the same time, party functionaries are treading carefully so that they don’t ruffle feathers. Initially, Punjab BJP leaders had held programmes to “explain the benefits” of the three agriculture marketing laws to farmers and the people. However, after the December 25 events when situation turned unsavoury at a few places, especially at Bathinda, the saffron party started holding protest meetings and sit-ins against the Punjab government when the events were disrupted by protesters. “Initially, we were playing the role of incumbent party (in power at the Centre) by trying to explain the benefits of the farm laws and engaging with farmers. However, after the emotions have been running high, especially after the venue of protests shifted to Delhi borders, we are in the role of opposition in Punjab after the incidents of disruption of attempts of disruption of our meetings. We are questioning the state government over the law and order situation,” said a senior party leader. “We are treading carefully as we don’t want to offend anybody,” said another senior office-bearer of the party. He said though initially party leadership spoke quite strongly after cattle dung was thrown at the gate of residence of former minister Tikshan Sud in Hoshiarpur on New Year day, they then decided to leave the issue alone after a major demonstration in Hoshiaropur by farm activists. “It was also felt that furthering of the controversy would further highlight Sud’s ‘picnic’ remark about farmers protest at Delhi,” he said. Party leaders Surjit Kumar Jyani and Harjeet Singh Grewal have also faced strong opposition. At its protest rally at Jalandhar on January 10, the BJP speakers focussed more on attacking the Congress for trying to disrupt their events, rather than to explain the benefits of farm law. Their main line on the contentious legislations was that the Narendra Modi-led government would never harm the interests of farmers. Meanwhile, party insiders claimed that some bitterness due to the disruption of their events would lead to polarisation in their support. “It has provided us fuel to play victim card among our perspective voters, rather than to answer people’s questions on farm laws,” claimed a former BJP MLA.

The Times of India

2021-01-19

Chandigarh