Chandigarh, November 21, 2020 (Yes Punjab News)
Dismissing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a non-entity in Punjab’s political arena, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh told a TV channel that the BJP was welcome to contest all 117 Vidhan Sabha seats in the state though the party would not be able to win a single seat without an alliance partner.
The Congress had, in fact, no challenge in Punjab, with even the Akalis and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) posing no threat, he said, adding that neither of these parties had ever talked about anything positive in the interest of the state.
With elections in the state still around 18 months away, it was not possible to say which issue will dominate the polls, said Captain Amarinder, while expressing the hope that the BJP will resolve the farmers’ grievances soon.
Farmers want MSP to remain and the Government of India should take steps to ensure that, he said, lamenting the adamant stand being taken by both the Centre and the farmers, leading to the prolonged agitation which was affecting supplies to the frontline soldiers while damaging Punjab’s interests.
He, however, said agitation was the democratic and constitutional right of farmers, which the central government had evidently realised, as apparent from their decision to call Kisan Unions for talks.
The Chief Minister reiterated that corporates were welcome to buy foodgrains in Punjab as long as they follow the existing marketing system, built on close ties between farmers and Arhtiyas.
He rejected the BJP charge of the Congress and other central Opposition parties were misguiding the farmers, pointing out that the entire Vidhan Sabha in Punjab had unanimously rejected the Farm Laws, though some parties had subsequently made a U-turn due to political compulsions. When the Bills were brought in Parliament, the central government should have consulted all stakeholders, including Punjab government, instead of passing them without discussion, said Captain Amarinder.
