Farmers’ meet inconclusive, next round on January 18

Talks to forge unity by major farm unions remained inconclusive on Monday. Representatives from three prominent farmers’ forums — Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) — deliberated for over two and a half hours during a meeting held at Patran, Patiala district. They agreed to reconvene on January 18 to finalise a common minimum programme.

Prominent farmers’ leaders such as Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal and Kaka Singh Kotra took part in the meeting. The discussions were conducted against the backdrop of rising support for farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 49 days, demanding a legal guarantee for the MSP for crops.

Addressing the media after the meeting, SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, “The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere. We firmly believe that unity among all farm unions is crucial to winning this battle. Public support will follow once we stand united.”

Despite Ugrahan’s assurances, speculation surfaced after Rajewal left midway through the discussions. However, other leaders, including Raminder Patiala and Abhimanyu Kohar, dismissed rumours of discord, citing personal commitments as the reason for Rajewal’s early departure.

Kotra of the SKM (Non-Political) said the forum representatives would consult their respective unions to build a consensus before the next meeting. “Our goal is to replicate the success of the 2020-21 farm stir through a united front,” he said.

The unions plan to finalise an agenda on critical demands, including a legal guarantee for the MSP, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations and debt waiver.

Meanwhile, farm unions burnt copies of the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing across Punjab.