CM Mann stabbed Punjabis in back: Farm leader Dallewal

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Thursday accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of “stabbing Punjabis in the back” and said he would end his hunger strike till farmers’ demand for a Central law assuring minimum support price for crops was fulfilled.

He also declined any offer of mediation between farmers and the Centre over a string of their demands.

The farm leader made the statement addressing a large gathering of farmers at his native Dallewal village in Faridkot district. Dallewal has been observing an indefinite fast since November 26 last year.

Earlier, the state government told the Supreme Court that he ended his fast on March 29, which was denied by farmer unions. The government’s submission had come days after farmers protesting against the Centre at the state’s Khanauri and Shambhu borders with Haryana were evicted by the Punjab Police, drawing curtains on an over a year-long protest.

Dallewal, in his nearly five-minute address, lashed out at the state government over it and alleged, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stabbed people of Punjab in the back merely to save Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal.”

He did not elaborate on his allegation.

Regarding the CM’s offer to mediate talks with the Centre, Dallewal said he had no faith in government assurances. “The issues like declining groundwater table and diversification cannot be addressed till the time we get MSP on crops. The government can uproot a protest but not my determination. We will rebuild our movement,” he declared.

Dallewal said at least 10 farmer mahapanchayats will be organised across Punjab to ensure that the movement for an assured price of crops continues. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government should not lower the tariff on American agriculture and milk products.

“If he fails, it is our responsibility to protest and stop the import of grain, milk products and poultry products,” said Dallewal.

Kaka Singh Kotda, general secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur), said Dallewal was drinking only water and receiving minimal medical assistance.