To bust ‘fake narrative’ that BJP was against farmers, party to launch rural outreach: Sunil Jakhar

He was speaking to the media after presiding over a day-long meeting of state BJP’s extended executive committee meeting.

Jakhar said it was felt during the meeting that a false narrative has been built, a myth has been created to project the BJP against farmers. To break that myth, that lies and that perception, which has been built, dialogue at all levels is needed, said Jakhar. The BJP has been working for all sections, in which farmers are key stakeholders, he said.

Talking about the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Jakhar, in an apparent swipe at former ally Shiromani Akali Dal, said, “The results have made it clear as to who is the elder brother and who is the younger brother”.

In the Lok Sabha polls, BJP secured 18.5% votes compared to Akali Dal’s 13.4%. BJP also secured lead in 23 Assembly segments while SAD led in nine. Before the two parties parted ways in September 2020 over the now repealed agri laws, Akali Dal used to act as big brother, contesting 10 of 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab while giving BJP only three.

The BJP state chief further said that party has to play the role of opposition in state as Congress is hand in glove with the ruling AAP.

Regarding the farmer protest, Jakhar said, “We agree that when farm laws were framed, stakeholders were not involved. However in the present scenario, we want to reach out to farmers and not just two stakeholders who have direct connection with the AAP government”.

This was an apparent reference to the two umbrella farm bodies protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders. It needs to be mentioned that during Lok Sabha polls, protesting farmers had not allowed BJP leaders to enter villages for campaigning.

Referring to the issue of drugs and the sacrilege issue of 2015, Jakhar said both the issues remain unaddressed by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. Now, the issue of deteriorating law and order in the state is also there, he said.

The AAP came to power in Punjab with a promise of bettering law and order and making the state drug-free, but more than two years of their rule, the situation on ground has deteriorated further, Jakhar alleged.

The drug issue remains the same, the mafias rule the state and hate crime has increased many folds. The radical elements are getting support which is dangerous for the state, he said.

We are a distinct state and being a border state our needs are different, Jakhar said, urging the state government to wake up and rein in the wave of terror unleashed in the state with daily killings, robberies, dacoities being reported with alarming regularity.

Jakhar said that for a bypoll, CM had to camp in Jalandhar West for 20 days against BJP’s candidate. “It is a moral defeat of the AAP,” he added.