In a big boost for the farmers' unity in Punjab, the Balbir Singh Rajewal-led faction – that had parted ways with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a collective of farmers' unions, for contesting the 2022 state Vidhan Sabha polls – has returned to the SKM fold. The faction had five farmer unions, namely Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), All India Kisan Federation, Kisan Sangharsh Committee Punjab, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mansa) and Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Punjab). Balbir Singh Rajewal, president of BKU Rajewal, was expelled from SKM in the last week of December 2021, days after lifting off the farmers' historic dharna at Delhi borders, for floating his own political party Samyukta Samaj Morcha (SSM) and making an announcement to contest the Punjab assembly elections. Rajewal had been working under the banner of the five kisan organisations for almost two years. After repeated meetings for unity, finally, on January 15, the five farmer unions came back to the SKM fold. On Tuesday, Rajewal also addressed the All India Farmers' Convention of SKM at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall in Jalandhar. In this convention, unions from across the country participated under the banner of SKM. On December 25, 2021, when various farmer union leaders had announced to contest the assembly elections, a total of 22 farmer unions were part of SSM at that time. During the poll campaign, 13 unions were left in support of SSM and by the time the electioneering ended, only five remained in Rajewal group. SSM couldn't win even a single seat in the elections. Prem Singh Bhangu, president of All India Kisan Federation, while talking to The Indian Express, said, “Now, our five unions are part of the 32 farmer unions of Punjab and we are a united front. The proposed plan of the five kisan organisations to protest in Chandigarh on January 18 stands postponed now. We will be part of the January 26 tractor march called by SKM. On January 28, a meeting of the united front of SKM's Punjab unit will take place at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, to chalk out future course of action regarding the demands of farmers.” P Krishna Prasad, from the All India Kisan Sabha and a national co-ordination committee member of SKM, said, “Balbir Singh Rajewal reunited with SKM by attending the All India Farmers' Convention at Jalandhar. Rajewal has been a member of the presidium and he addressed the delegates. Along with BKU (Rajewal), four other kisan organisations also reunited with SKM on Tuesday. BKU (Ugrahan) is working in coordination with SKM Punjab. SKM in Punjab has been strengthened now.” Eighteen farmer unions of North India being led by Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and SKM (non-political) are not part of SKM. Rest all farmer unions of Punjab are now under one platform, said Jagmohan Singh Patiala, member, national co-ordination committee of SKM. Several meetings had taken place with union leaders of SKM (non-political) as well as 18 farmer unions of North India in the past, but the difference of opinion couldn't be sorted out, he added. Meanwhile, the five farmer unions (faction) have been taken back by SKM on the condition that – “if any union leader in future wants to get connected with any political activity, he/she will have to resign from SKM before taking the plunge”. Rajewal's SSM is a registered political party. However, after the Vidhan Sabha polls, Rajewal hasn't involved himself in any other political activity till now. ‘Grameen bandh’ on February 16 On Tuesday, the All India Farmers' Convention of SKM at Jalandhar declared to intensify its struggle against the alleged corporate attack on agriculture. It has decided to observe a nationwide 'Grameen Bandh' (rural strike) and hold massive demonstrations all over the country on February 16. Kisan memorial at Delhi border The convention adopted a special resolution to construct a Kisan Martyrs' Memorial – Kisan Shaheed Smarak at Delhi border where the farmers' agitation had taken place from November 26, 2020, to December 9, 2021, against the now-repealed three contentious central farm laws. The convention appealed to farmers across the country to write a letter to the chief ministers of Delhi and Haryana demanding land for the Kisan Martyrs' Memorial.
