Ugrahan: Won't contest Punjab Assembly polls or support SSM

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), Punjab’s largest farmers’ body, announced on Monday that it would neither contest the Assembly elections nor support the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) led by Balbir Singh Rajewal. However, it would not “oppose” the SSM in any constituency.

Has Committees in 1,400 villages

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• From 800 villages prior to Delhi stir, Ugrahan’s union now has committees in 1,400 villages
• These committees have successfully reached out to the women in these villages
• Also, it has expanded its base in areas bordering Hry, R’sthan

The announcement is important as the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has a lot of influence in the Malwa belt which comprises 69 of the total 117 Assembly constituencies.The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had hoped to make gains in rural segments in alliance with the SSM, but that has not worked out. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which has its vote bank in rural Punjab, could also see a division in its votes.

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), said but for the newly formed SSM, other parties would be asked questions on their stand on various agriculture issues mentioned in their manifesto.

“All farmers’ organisations, including those part of the SSM, will meet on January 15 to discuss demands that are yet to be met by the Union Government,” he added. When contacted, Rajewal said he was sure of Ugrahan’s support. “It is just a pretence,” he claimed. “Seat-sharing with Gurnam Singh Charuni’s Sanyukt Sangharsh Party will be announced soon,” he added.