No enmity with other farm unions, it’s only difference of opinion: Dallewal

Breaking his silence on the proposal of “ekta resolution” of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (All-India), farm leader and SKM (Non-Political) chief Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Monday said the farm unions had no enmity with anyone. The difference was only that of opinion and preference of demands.

Dallewal, who is showing visible signs of improvement ever since he started taking medication, said, “SKM (All-India) leaders came to Khanauri with a resolution of “ekta” (unity) following the kisan mahapanchayat in Moga. If their leaders could not join the protest at Khanauri due to certain differences, they could have held at a protest at some other place to support the farmers’ cause. The farmers across the country want legal guarantee on MSP. Had the SKM (All-India) supported us, it would have put extra pressure on the government to accept farmers’ demands.”

Interacting with the media, Dallewal said if he was fit enough, he would participate in the meeting at Chandigarh. Otherwise, he would appear before the panel through video-conferencing. “I have full faith in the panel members who will engage in talks with government official,” he said.

The SKM (All-India), an umbrella body of farmer unions that led a year-long stir in 2020-21 against the now-scrapped three farm laws, has invited farm groups protesting at the Punjab-Haryana borders for the third round of unity talks on February 12. The previous two meetings held on January 13 and 18 had failed.

The meeting is scheduled to take place two days before the protesting Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and SKM (Non-Political) will hold talks with the Centre over their demands.

SKM (Non-Political) leader Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande has urged the SKM (All-India) to advance the February 12 unity talks. “Our protest is going to complete one year on February 12 and we have a rally slated on that day,” he said.