CHANDIGARH, MARCH 3: Sunil Jakhar, Punjab BJP President, pointed out that since the Centre is lifting all wheat and paddy produced in Punjab at MSP, he asked the so-called farmer leaders whose battle they are fighting.

Jakhar highlighted that merely guaranteeing MSP won’t suffice since none of the other 21 crops are as profitable as Paddy and Wheat. He stressed genuine discussion with all stakeholders. “Our groundwater is depleting rapidly; we must contemplate shifting from water-intensive crops,” Jakhar cautioned.

He urged farmer leaders to articulate what Punjab stands to gain from the protest, considering that wheat and paddy already receive MSP. Jakhar expressed sympathy for all legitimate farmer concerns.

Jakhar questioned the choice of crops farmers wish to cultivate, suggesting alternatives to wheat and paddy, which demand excessive water usage. He challenged farmer leaders, asserting that continuing with these crops will deplete water resources for future cultivation. Jakhar offered to advocate for immediate MSP guarantees on any proposed shifts to the remaining 21 MSP-mandated crops.

Furthermore, Jakhar highlighted the disparity in MSP availability for Punjab farmers compared to other states. He cautioned against using Punjab’s youth for political agendas and urged other states to address their own MSP issues instead of exploiting Punjab.

Jakhar also cautioned Punjab farmer leaders about potential exploitation, warning that those who incite them may later defame them once their objectives are met. He referenced the 2021 protests, where he noted deliberate misguidance of youth and alteration of protest routes to incite confusion and violence, intending to portray them negatively later.

The Punjab BJP President also announced that the party would lead a protest in Chandigarh tomorrow March 4 on the issue. No more Shubkaran of Punjab should meet the same fate ever, Jakhar emotionally appealed to farmer leaders of other states including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to shun from this path of using Punjab as their battle ground .

Jakhar cited data, stating that in 2014, farmers sold a total of 1.18 LMTs (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of paddy, receiving Rs. 16,000 Crores directly in their accounts. He added that during the Kharif Season 23-24, Rs. 40,385 Crores have been directly transferred into farmers’ bank accounts for the procurement of 1.82 LMTs of paddy. This amount surpasses the paddy purchased on MSP in 2014 by over 60 LMTs, he noted.

While expressing sympathies with farmers of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, Jakhar said, “Nobody can allow the use of Punjab’s youth as cannon fodder for someone else’s motives. While we fully sympathize with them, we cannot allow our sons to be misused and misled. They should fight for their own rights and demands.  We will support them, and our sympathies are with them, but their leaders must stop using our youngsters as bait to fight their cause,” added Jakhar.

Taking on Congress leadership for hobnobbing with aap and doing nothing for saving farmer interests, Jakhar said Congress must stop using farmers for kind of politics which is totally bereft of any understanding of farmer issues and their  concerns. Is any of the Congress leader willing to shift to Jawar or Bajra in place of paddy or wheat, he asked.