Lagatar24 Desk
Chandigarh, Dec.25: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of farmers unions that led the protest against the controversial farm laws, announced Saturday that it will not run in the 2022 Punjab election, and that no one or organisation should use its name, or those of its member groups, for election purposes.
The SKM highlighted the lack of agreement among the 32 member organisations on the election; those interested in running might join the Aam Aadmi Party, whose leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been actively courting farmers.
A statement from the nine-member coordination said,”The SKM – which is a platform of more than 400 different ideological organisations across the country, is formed only for the issues of farmers. There is no call for boycott of elections and even no understanding of contesting elections.”
The SKM said that it had been formed “by the people to get their rights from the government” and that following the repeal of the farm laws the struggle had been suspended.
“Remaining demands (this includes legal assurances for MSP, or minimum support price) will be decided in the meeting to be held on January 15, 2022,” the statement added.
The SKM’s clear stance that it will not run in the Punjab election comes after reports that a majority of the 32 member organisations were in favour of running in the election.
The group revealed today that at least nine members were opposed to running for office.
Krantikari Kisan Union, BKU Krantikari, BKU Sidhupur, Azad Kisan Committee Doaba, Jai Kisan Andolan, Dasuha Ganna Sangharsh Committee, Kisan Sangharsh Committee Punjab, Lok Bhalai Insaaf Welfare Society, and Kirti Kisan Union Punjab are among the nine organisations.
Punjab (together with four other states, including Uttar Pradesh) will have elections in February-March.
