skm: 22 Punjab farmer unions form party

Twenty-two of the 32 farmer unions that have been a part of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which led the 15-month protest alongside the Delhi borders in opposition to the now-repealed farm legal guidelines, on Saturday introduced a brand new political outfit to contest the upcoming meeting polls in Punjab.

The brand new outfit, beneath the management of farmer chief Balbir Singh Rajewal, has been named Samyukt Samaj Morcha. “Ever since we received the battle at Delhi borders and got here again to Punjab, the expectations of the individuals of Punjab from us have elevated and there was lots of stress from them to enter into politics,” Harmeet Singh Kadian, president of the BKU-Kadian, advised media individuals in Chandigarh. “Presently, there are 22 unions and two unions have prolonged their assist. Going ahead extra unions will be a part of us.”

The get together is getting ready to contest all of the 117 meeting seats of Punjab, Rajewal mentioned.

Nevertheless, individuals within the know advised ET that the brand new outfit’s leaders have been in contact with the Aam Aadmi Social gathering management and dealing on an alliance components.

In the meantime, the announcement has introduced up sharp variations among the many farmer unions.

“Whoever among the many unions goes to contest meeting elections, won’t use the SKM title. Our organisation has determined to not contest the election as we wish to stay as a robust stress group,” mentioned Rajinder Singh Deepsinghwala, vice chairman of the Kirti Kisan Union, one of many giant farmer unions of the state. The most important union, BKU Ekta Ugrahan, has already declared that it will not contest elections.

Punjab-based farmer unions that aren’t a part of the brand new outfit have known as a gathering on December 31, the place they’re anticipated to take a name on the best way ahead.

“They should not contest elections. Our motion is non-political and is predicated on individuals’s belief. Individuals are free to take their very own name, however it would hurt the motion,” Rakesh Tikait, BKU chief and one of many robust faces of the farmers agitation, advised ET. “We’re very clear that we’re battling with the political class with out going into politics. There are a number of unions within the SKM throughout the nation and the SKM will proceed to perform.”

There’s a scheduled assembly of the SKM on January 15 to assessment the execution of the guarantees by the federal government to the farmer unions.