Samyukt Kisan Morcha to meet in Ludhiana, 7 unions not invited

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

Days after the success of the year-long farmers’ struggle against the farm laws, Samyukt Kisan Morcha leaders have called a meeting in Ludhiana on Thursday.

Among other things, the issue of forming a political front is to be discussed. However, representatives of seven farmers’ unions — Krantikari Kisan Union, BKU (Krantikari), Azad Kisan Committee Doaba, BKU (Sidhupur), Lok Bhalai Welfare Insaf Committee, Ganna Sangharsh Committee Dasuya and Jai Kisan Andolan — have reportedly not been invited to the meeting.

Some keen on political plunge

Some union leaders are in favour of taking a political plunge. However, we are against entering mainstream politics. Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, BKU (Ugrahan)

“The unions had agreed that they would stay away from politics till the laws were repealed. Once this was done, some union leaders are in for taking a political plunge. We are against entering mainstream politics. It is not our mandate, so we decided to stay apolitical and part ways with the others,” said Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of the BKU (Ugrahan).

BKU leader Balbir Singh Rajewal was non-committal on himself contesting the elections. “We have called a meeting of all unions. Whatever decision has to be taken, will be taken jointly,” he said. Jagmohan Singh Patiala, BKU (Dakaunda) general secretary, told The Tribune: “Whatever decision is taken, there should be unanimity among all unions on entering mainstream politics.”