AAP's shifting stance: Why Punjab govt cracked down on farmers

Arvind Kejriwal and Mann .

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is drawing intense criticism for its noticeable U-turn in dealing with farmers and more pronounced farm issues. The AAP dispensation's alleged demolition of tents at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders to uproot the farmers' agitation has enabled Opposition to accuse chief minister Bhagwant Mann of backstabbing the farmers.

In fact, at one point, Bhagwant Mann acted as a mediator between the agitating farmers and the Centre. However, he has made a U-turn in recent weeks. AAP's handling of the farmers' issue in recent days has evoked a strong response from the Congress leadership, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge saying that it appears that "two anti-farmer parties" (indicating BJP, AAP) have now joined hands against the country's food providers.

As Congress MPs from Punjab staged a protest outside Parliament House, Kharge posted on 'X' that both AAP and BJP were "intoxicated" with the arrogance of power and are guilty for their actions against farmers while insisting that the 62 crore farmers of the country will "never forgive these anti-farmer parties".

What could be the reason behind AAP'S U-turn?

In a sudden change in its stance, Punjab's AAP govt appears determined to go hard on farmers. On Wednesday, it detained top farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher minutes after they came out of a meeting with Union ministers. Farmers have been protesting since February 13 last year, demanding a legal guarantee for MSPs.

The conflict between the Punjab government and farmers started escalating in early March when Mann walked out of a meeting with Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leaders and later stated that dharnas would not be allowed as they were taking Punjab backwards.

Congress' effort to milk the situation

The state government's move has been heavily criticised by the Opposition. Congress leader Pargat Singh said the move "confirmed" AAP was the B-team of the BJP. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and senior MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, "the real face of the governments that used to say that we are well-wishers of the farmers has been exposed. Bhagwant Mann and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have done the work of beating them (farmers), this should not happen."

Could Ludhiana bypoll be a factor?

Ahead of the Ludhiana West bypoll, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal were categorically told by industrialists, during a recent visit, that the farmers' agitation on highways was impacting the trade and economy. Sources claimed this was hugely responsible for the change in stance of the AAP government.

Ludhiana's industry has wholeheartedly welcomed the Punjab government's push to shut down the agitation. MSME representative Badish Jindal told India Today that this action should have happened sooner. He emphasised that due to the border closure, Punjab's industries were incurring a loss of Rs 1,500 crore per month.

In similar vein, representatives of the hosiery and textile industries have also welcomed this decision. Vinod Thapar, chairperson of the Knitwear Club, said due to the border closure, the Ludhiana-Delhi journey, which usually took five hours, increased to 10 hours. Thapar said it discouraged traders from coming to Punjab, reducing business by half.