Farmers Movement Archive

After desertions, Charuni rejigs Ambala unit of BKU

Ambala, January 22The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has started reorganising its district unit in Ambala and appointed some of its office-bearers on Saturday.Activists against ‘Mission Punjab’Farmers’ unions should remain apolitical. We were associated with Gurnam, but he gave the call of ‘Mission Punjab’ following which, I left the union. I have joined Tikait group. Gulab Singh, Former vice-president, BKU (Charuni)The farmers’ union had to dissolve its district unit after differences among leaders in the local unit came to the fore and several activists, including its vice-president and Block-I president parted ways, along with their supporters.As per the information, several union activists were unhappy with the call of ‘Mission Punjab’ given by BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh, and they wanted the chief to keep the body apolitical.Gulab Singh Manakpur, who was earlier the vice-president of the district unit of BKU (Charuni), joined Tikait group.Gulab Singh said, “Farmers’ unions should remain apolitical. We were associated with Gurnam, but he gave the call of ‘Mission Punjab’, following which, I decided to leave the union. I got an offer from Tikait group. I joined it and they have given me the responsibility of senior vice-president of Haryana. I will work for farmers’ interests.”Sukhvinder Jalbera, who was earlier the Block-I president, said, “We were not happy with Gurnam’s move of participating in politics. We supported him in farmers’ struggle, and activists from Ambala played a crucial role in the agitation. We expressed our displeasure, but to no avail. We have parted ways. We got an offer from Tikait group, but we have decided not to join any union. We are planning to float our own union.”Meanwhile, BKU (Charuni) state president Karam Singh Mathana, and state spokesperson Rakesh Bains held a meeting with farm activists at the Saha grain market on Saturday and appointed the new office-bearers. Malkit Singh has been reappointed the district president. Jaswinder Singh Bhukri has been made the vice-president, and Rajiv Sharma the general secretary and the spokesperson. The union has also appointed some advisers and secretaries.Bains said, “There were some issues in Ambala, due to which, the district unit was dissolved. Some activists have left the union as per their wish, but majority of them were not holding any post in the union.”

The Tribune

2022-01-23