Farmers Movement Archive

Patiala: Joginder Singh Ugrahan lambasts political parties for state’s issues; leaves stage during protest for old pension scheme

Joginder Singh Ugrahan of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ugrahan on Tuesday lambasted political parties for issues of state and left the stage after the entry of AAP leaders Harpal Singh Cheema, Harchand Barsat and MLA from Delhi Ajay Dutt during a protest organised by CPF workers’ union for re-implementation of the old pension scheme in Patiala. The leader who had earlier been sitting at the middle of the stage had moved toward the outside when the AAP leaders reached the venue.A commotion among the gathering followed Ugrahan’s statement from the stage.Ugrahan said, “All political parties work under the influence of the corporates. The issues of the old pension scheme, unemployment and the three contentious farm laws spruce from the same.”Addressing the organisers, he said the union would offer outside support if they want to give political colour to their protest.“You shouldn’t have called us if you had wanted us to share the stage with leaders of political parties. We wouldn’t have come,” he said and left.Soon after, Leader of the Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema left the venue without saying a word after AAP Delhi MLA Ajay Dutt, who expressed support to the protesters, also added that the party’s government in Delhi had passed a resolution seeking repeal of the three farm laws.Organisers while managing the stage said the gathering was organised for the sole purpose of holding a protest to demand reimplementation of the old pension scheme.President of the CPF workers’ union Sukhjeet Singh said, “Anyone can come to the protest site. We have not invited anyone. We do not have an issue if a political leader supports our demands.”The union was supposed to hold a protest march toward the residence of the chief minister but cancelled the program after it was allocated a meeting with the chief minister’s office.

The Tribune

2021-08-24

Patiala