The 25 farmer unions which were a faction of the Samyuky Kisan Morcha (SKM) spearheaded the agitation against the farm laws may build an alliance and can be a part of the next Punjab assembly elections. The unions are likely to join the poll fray with the help of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The verdict was taken at a discussion held near Ludhiana on Friday evening. Sources stated that 7 of the 32 unions – which shaped the SKM – have agreed to not be a part of the elections and stay away, but the remaining 25 are determined to dive into politics. The farmer associations that have agreed to stay away from elections include Kirti Kisan Union, Krantikari Kisan Union, BKU Krantikari, Doaba Sangharsh Committee, BKU Sidhupur, Kisan Sangharsh Committee, and Jai Kisan Andolan. While the discussion was going on, it was discovered that the seven unions that agreed to stay away from standing in the elections instructed the remaining unions not to utilize the banner of SKM for the election.
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Sources also stated that the 25 unions are anticipated to formally declare the decision on Saturday. Credible sources also explained that about a dozen of the unions were in acceptance of an alliance with the AAP. Farmer leaders asserted that since AAP had not been given an opportunity at power yet in the state and also the current relations between the farmers and the AAP leaders over the latter’s assistance during the agitation was being referred to as an explanation for exhibiting preference to the party. There have already been assumptions of union leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal and Harmeet Singh Kadian contesting the elections on AAP tickets with the former being propped up as CM face. Both the parties have refuted these speculations.
