On Saturday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella organization that led the war against the now-repealed agri laws, announced that farmer unions contesting the Punjab assembly elections would no longer be members.
In a press conference following their meeting at Kondli on the Singhu border, SKM leaders also announced that BKU leader Rakesh Tikait will travel to Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh in January for three days to press for the resignation of Union minister Ajay Mishra, whose son is accused of mowing down protesting farmers last year.
Yudhvir Singh said that Tikati will meet with victims, jailed farmers, and officials if no progress is made. If there is no progress, a siege may be set up in Lakhimpur by farmer organizations.
In addition, Singh said that the SKM does not agree with farmer organizations participating in the Punjab elections and they will not be a part of it. “Those organizations taking part in elections are not SKM members. We will decide our relation with them in a meeting of the SKM four months later,” he said.
In response, SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrhan said, “SKM has nothing to do with them.”
Two prominent leaders of the SKM, Gurnam Singh Chadhuni, and Balbir Singh Rajewal, who were involved in the year-long anti-farm law protests at the Delhi border last year, have also joined the fray in Punjab.
