Punjab Farmers Dig In: AAP’s Land Policy Sparks Rural Revolt
A wave of protests is sweeping across Punjab, with farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) vehemently opposing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s controversial land pooling policy. The demonstrations, concentrated heavily around Ludhiana, are escalating rapidly.
The heart of the farmers’ discontent lies in the policy’s implications for land acquisition for residential and industrial projects. Farmers fear unfair compensation and displacement from their ancestral lands.
Adding fuel to the fire is the farmers’ simultaneous opposition to the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), fearing further economic hardship. The anxieties surrounding both the land policy and the FTA are deeply intertwined.
Reactions from AAP MLAs are divided, with some expressing support for the farmers’ concerns and others urging the government to swiftly address their grievances and fulfill earlier promises. The situation underscores a growing rift within the ruling party.
The ongoing protests present a significant challenge for the AAP government, threatening its rural support base and potentially impacting its image ahead of future elections. The handling of this crisis will be a crucial test of the party’s governance capabilities.
