The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership is pushing for an early and friendly resolution of the farmers’ protest as the current unrest threatens to derail the party’s expansion plans in Punjab and undermines the government’s “pro-farmer image”. Union, said people familiar with the details. .
Even when the meeting between the government and farmers’ representatives was inconclusive on Tuesday, BJP officials remained optimistic that the jam will be resolved. The next round of talks between the government and farmers’ representatives will now take place on Thursday.
A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Monday that the laws are beneficial to farmers is an indication that the government is ready to address their concerns. But a reversal may not be in the cards, the official added.
“Genuine farmer complaints will be addressed. They have concerns about some aspects, such as whether the government will continue to provide MSP (Minimum Support Price). We are ready to respond to those concerns. The demand for a pushback is based on rumors and fear stoked by the opposition, ”said the official.
On Tuesday, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal attended a meeting on the farmers’ protest at the head of the BJP, the residence of JP Nadda.
The party has also stepped up its efforts to reach out to farmer groups, sending senior officials to clear things up. “From ministers to parliamentarians and officials at the bloc level, they will all act as emissaries of government and clear up the misconception of farmers,” said a second official.
Pro-farmer image
To ensure that its pro-farmer image is not tarnished, the party reiterates the measures taken to improve the situation of farmers. “It was the BJP government that announced schemes like soil health cards, micro irrigation facilities, irrigation in all fields, 95% of the Swaminathan report has been implemented, farmers are getting cash benefits from Kisan Saman Nidhi. But the opposition has created fear that the government will not support the MSP, ”said the second official.
Party leaders have also pointed out that the protests that were limited to Punjab and parts of Haryana is proof that the Congress misled the farmers. “Farmers elsewhere have understood how small and marginalized farmers can benefit from the new laws. It is only in Punjab that the congressional government has created fear in their minds. In states like MP, UP and Gujarat, farmers have faith in the Modi government, ”said the second official.
Punjab outlook
The political ramifications of the protest are another area of concern to the party. After Shiromani Akali Dal ended its alliance with the BJP on the new agricultural laws, the saffron party has been trying to expand its presence in the state. “There is a vote bank that is neither Akali nor does it support Congress; these are non-Panthak voters and the party can count on their support, ”said a third official.
The BJP has already started preparations for the 2022 Punjab assembly elections that it plans to contest on its own. He has rolled out his cadre to launch a booth level membership drive and set up party offices.
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