All parties failed to voice concerns of paddy growers, says Jakhar

State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar today questioned all political parties over their silence in voicing the problems faced by farmers during paddy procurement, forcing them to march to Delhi.

“All parties have failed miserably. Even before they proceed to Delhi as announced on December 6, they need to question all political parties in the state why their concerns have been ignored. Even now farmers need to stand up and raise their voice against the Punjab Government for not disbursing them MSP on paddy,” he said.

In a post on X, Jakhar stated that once again state’s farmers are at a crossroads due to the inefficient administration of the Aam Aadmi Party-led government. He said the state failed to ensure paddy MSP to farmers despite the Centre releasing Rs 4,400 crores on time. This led to an average loss of Rs 200 to Rs 350 per quintal to farmers. Jakhar said despite farmer agitation over non-procurement and non-lifting in the mandis across the state, the Congress distanced itself from the issue.

Talking to this correspondent, Jakhar said the state BJP, also, instead of choosing to stand with the farmers on the issue chose to raise unrelated matters in the state, which was sad.

In fact, all parties have been busy participating in the recent byelections.

“There is a political vacuum in the state. Leave aside farmers, nobody (particularly political parties) is talking about the woes of a common man, be it labourers, teachers or others. All parties, including the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress, have failed to speak in the favour of farmers when they needed it the most. Farmers are preparing to proceed to New Delhi to have their voice heard. That is fine. Before they go, they still have a few days to make the political parties answerable here as well,” he said.

“Public disenchantment is showing big on ground, may be it is time it found the right voice,” Jakhar added.