Punjab farm unions float political party to contest polls,SKM warn

In Punjab, around 22 farmers'unions have come together to float the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha(SSM) that will contest the upcoming asembly elections. The political front of the farmers in Punjab will be led by Balbir Singh Rajewal. Three farm bodies including BKU (Dakounda) and BKU (Lakhowal) will decide shortly whether to join the party. Rajewal said he was under tremendous pressure from the people of Punjab to contest the polls after the three contentious farm laws were withdrawn in a victory of the farmers. Punjab is facing a lot of problems such as drugs, unemployment and the migration of youth from the state which they want to address.

Meanwhile,  the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) confirmed that it will not contest the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2022.Many farm unions, which were part of SKM, the umbrella organisation, decided to stay away from electoral politics. Kirti Kisan Union, Krantikari Kisan Union, BKU-Krantikari, Doaba Sangharsh Committee, BKU-Sidhupur, Kisan Sangharsh Committee and Jai Kisan Andolan are against joining the fray. The banner of SKM is unlikely to be used for election campaigning. No person or organisation should use SKM's or the 32 organisations' names for elections. The SKM issued an official statement.Using SKM’s name or “32 Punjab farmers’ front” for contesting polls in Punjab will lead to disciplinary action, the statement read.