CHANDIGARH: The police action against protesting farmers by AAP government at Khanuari and Shambhu border is expected to change the political equations in Punjab.
Farmers in Punjab feel betrayed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and their anger against AAP government is bound to erode the base of AAP in the farmer community. The farmers in Punjab had extended full support to Aam Aadmi Party believing the promises and slogans of AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. They came as a party with difference and end up a party worst than other political parties.
The emrgence of AAP in Punjab had pushed the Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) to margin as majority of Akali candidates had lost the poll in 2022. The farmer community, mainly the Sikhs among farmers were fed up with the performance of SAD and Congress party during their regime. Not only farmers, the common people of Punjab had accused SAD and Congress for helping and shielding the drug and mining mafias. Badal family came under direct attack due to allegations of working against the interests of Sikh community and promoting corruption and napotism during its rule.
As a result the SAD which ruled Punjab for more than 20 years was reduced to a party of three MLAs. The internal conflict in SAD hd further deteriorated the situation and posed a challenge to the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The party is still struggling to set its house in order but the recent developments have given a hope of revival of only regional party in Punjab. The farming community is annoyed with the Mann government after forcibly removing them from the Khanauri and Shambu borders. AAP was so far supporting the farmer's agitation and it seemed the political priorities had forced the AAP to take bulldozer action against protesting farmers.
It is believed that Arvind Kejriwal is keen to get Rajya sabha seat from Punjab which is possible only if AAP candidate and Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora wins the Ludhiana west byelection. The action against farmers said to be brain child of Arvind Kejriwal who interacted with the business community in Ludhiana and faced their questions on blocked borders. The political compulsions to win the Ludhiana west seat became the turning point and AAP made a blunder in the run to appease the business community.
The new dimensions however have opened new opportunities for SAD and regain its lost base in the peasantry. The farmers look for a political support at this time of crisis. The Congress too trying to cash on the crisis has extended sympathies for the farmers. However, farmers majority of whom are Sikhs would prefer SAD to help them in need of hour. It is crucial time for SAD to keep their clock united and reach out to farmers. Sukhbir Badal today in a statement had asked the party workers to extend full support to farmers. He also need to merge differeces with the dissident Akali leaders. A political opportunity is waiting for him.