Dinesh Babbu tries to pacify irate farmers at the Sathiali bridge on Saturday. Tribune Photo
Ravi Dhaliwal
Gurdaspur, April 27
BJP candidate Dinesh Singh Babbu has run into a wall of protesting farmers in the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency.
Several factions of farm unions have been regularly blocking his entry into villages in five Sikh majority Assembly segments in this constituency.
The political configuration of the constituency is such that it is sharply divided on religious lines. While four of the nine Assembly segments are Hindu dominated, Sikhs hold sway in the remaining seats.
In complete contrast, SAD candidate Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and AAP’s Sherry Kalsi are having a free run as farmers have decided to stay away from them.
Babbu, till yet, has failed to make much headway as far as talks with the farm unions are concerned.
On his way to Kahnuwan from Sujanpur, farmers raised slogans against Babbu at Sathiali bridge. Farm leaders said they would up the ante against the BJP’s leader in the coming weeks.
To complicate matters, unions have got posters printed “BJP waleo, jawab deyo”. They have listed 11 grievances which they want to be redressed before they allow the party candidate or any other BJP leader into villages.
In the first phase of his campaign, Babbu has somehow managed to calm down only a fraction of farm leaders. “Like you, I am a farmer too. Thus, I understand your problems better than anyone else,” he said.
Farm leaders are said to be moving from door to door in villages explaining what the BJP has done to them, how it has put their entire livelihood at risk.
“We will not let the BJP win this seat. The saffron party has damaged us immensely. Now, it is payback time for us,” said Satbir Sultani, vice-chief, Kirti Kisan Union.
The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
Eminent Punjabi poet Padma Shri Dr Surjit Patar dies at 79
He was also the president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi and was a...
Indian Air force rescues 2 NRI women tourists from forest of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur
Local administration warns tourists not to venture on the Ch...
BJP leader who first flagged Prajwal Revanna sex video case arrested in molestation and rape case
A case of molestation was registered against Gowda on April ...
