Expelled BJP leader Anil Joshi to join farmers at Singhu

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 11

A day after being expelled by the BJP, former Cabinet minister Anil Joshi today announced his decision to participate in the farmers’ protest against the three farm laws at the Singhu border in Delhi.

Yuva Morcha leader Mohit Gupta bats for former BJP minister Anil Joshi

Talking to mediapersons here, he ruled out visiting the central leadership in Delhi. “My stand against the party and subsequent expulsion were a tribute to the ‘annadata’ of Punjab whose grains I have consumed my entire life. Being a Punjabi, I know we have always been tricked by central leaders.”

“Braving the vagaries of nature, farmers have been agitating for the past seven months. However, they are unmoved. The same leadership did not value my contribution to the party for nearly 35 years. My father was killed by terrorists during militancy. I thereafter served the party in different capacities. My vehicle was attacked and brother was manhandled. Despite all this, I was chucked out of the party in a matter of days.”

He said the two demands of farmers, including power to court instead of SDM to decide over any disagreement and guaranteed MSP, could have easily been accepted. However, the central leadership chose to look the other way.

Joshi batted for Hindu-Sikh unity, saying the two communities had lived in harmony even during the turbulent days of militancy. He stressed the need for secular Hindu and Sikh leaders to serve Punjabi community.

On his future plans, he said no political party held importance for him. “I have not yet thought of contesting elections, which are due in seven months,” he added.