Farmers have shown black flags to Preneet Kaur, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Hans Raj Hans. File
Archit Watts
Muktsar, April 8
As the electioneering is gradually picking up pace, so do protests against BJP candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.
For instance, farmers in a number of villages have put up hoardings banning the entry of BJP leaders. Further, three of the saffron party candidates – former Union minister Preneet Kaur from Patiala, ex-diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu from Amritsar and renowned singer Hans Raj Hans from Faridkot — have faced the protests by farmers in their constituencies. Luckily, no untoward incident is reported anywhere yet.
The protesting farmers are demanding legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for 23 crops, Rs 10,000 per month pension for farmers aged above 60, scrapping of cases slapped against farmers during their Delhi stir, besides raising some other issues. They are upset because a young farmer Shubhkaran Singh died during a protest at the Khanauri border in February this year.
‘AAP, Congress behind protests’
AAP and the Congress are behind the protests against the BJP. A majority of farmers is supporting the party and happy with the policies of PM Modi. You will see us campaigning smoothly in all villages. —A BJP leader
The BJP has announced six candidates. Sources say the protests may escalate further once the poll canvassing is in full throttle and the BJP announces its remaining seven candidates.
Some farmers in Muktsar claimed that they had banned the entry of BJP leaders by putting up hoardings at Bharu, Daula and Kotbhai villages. Similarly, such hoardings were displayed at Bhucho Khurd and Mandi Kalan villages in Bathinda district and Namol village in Sangrur. Further, some farmers of Jangpura village in SAS Nagar have put up a hoarding banning the entry of leaders of all political parties.
Further, the farmers had raised protests near the “Booth Mahotsav” venues of the BJP at Lambi village and Bathinda town recently.
Some farmers said they had not been allowed to go to Delhi and now the BJP leaders would not be allowed to enter their villages. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), during his recent visit to Muktsar district, said, “In the coming days, the farmer leaders will participate in the election debates.”
A senior BJP leader said, “AAP and the Congress are behind the protests. A majority of farmers is supporting the BJP and happy with the policies of PM Narendra Modi. You will see us campaigning smoothly in all villages.”
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
BJP returns to power in Arunachal Pradesh, secures 46 seats in 60-member Assembly
Saffron party had won 41 seats in 2019
Prem Tamang-led SKM sweeps Assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats
Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front manages to win one seat
As his interim bail ends, Arvind Kejriwal surrenders at Tihar jail
Before surrendering, Kejriwal addresses AAP leaders and work...
Delhi court sends Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till June 5
Duty judge Sanjeev Aggarwal passes the order after the chief...
Opposition parties trash exit polls, claim ‘deliberate attempt to justify rigging’
Questioning the credibility of the exit polls, the leaders o...
