Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh’s re-entry into the state’s political landscape on Friday struck a chord with farmers and set off significant buzz amid ongoing procurement struggles. At the Khanna grain market, Asia’s largest, the seasoned politician made a public appearance after nearly two and a half years, directly addressing distressed farmers, arhtiyas (commission agents), and labourers. Known for his steadfast commitment to smooth procurement during his nine-year tenure as the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder’s return couldn't be more timely as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces mounting criticism over sluggish paddy procurement.
The BJP leader’s visit, underscoring his established record of effective procurement management – even during COVID days, seemed to rekindle farmers’ memories of past seasons when delays and bottlenecks were rare. Farmers, many still grappling with the extended wait for their crops to be lifted, noted that under Capt Amarinder’s leadership, grain movement to other states would start ahead of time, preventing any storage crunch. The former Chief Minister took the opportunity to engage with those in the mandis, listening to concerns and decrying the current state of procurement as an “alarming situation”.
Contrastingly, under the present AAP government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, procurement delays have caused widespread frustration. Issues with rice millers and the reluctance to procure certain varieties, particularly the PR126 paddy, have stalled the process, leaving farmers in a lurch.
“Today, farmers have been waiting in mandis for over 10 days, with no assurance of their crop being bought at the MSP,” said Capt Amarinder. His words reflected a mix of frustration and urgency, pointing to the AAP administration's inexperience as a significant factor in these woes.
Capt Amarinder further called out Chief Minister Mann for not taking proactive steps to resolve the matter with the Central Government. “Had I been in his place, I would have visited the Centre long before the issue got out of hand,” he said.
Stressing the importance of hands-on governance, he questioned why no AAP leader had visited any procurement center despite knowing the gravity of the crisis. His critique didn’t stop at Chief Minister Mann, he extended it to the entire AAP leadership, highlighting that no senior figure had engaged with farmers or mandis.
Even as the situation grew dire, Capt Amarinder offered assurance to farmers that he would leverage his influence in the BJP to take up the matter at the highest levels. “I will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Food and Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi to demand intervention on behalf of Punjab’s farmers,” he said.
With the Centre already having released a substantial fund of Rs 44,000 crore for procurement, Capt Amarinder intended to ask for specific compensation for arhtiyas dealing with the PR126 variety, many of whom face financial strain due to unanticipated procurement gaps.
Drawing comparisons with the former Akali-BJP regime, Capt Amarinder reminded farmers of instances when Central intervention had solved similar crises. Issues like the discoloured paddy from 2000 and the 201 variety, initially refused by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), were eventually accepted with relaxed specifications. These resolutions, he said, were achieved through strategic negotiation rather than the ongoing blame game, which, according to him, has worsened the current standoff.
Capt’s Return: Political Timing, BJP’s Strategy Ahead of Bypolls
Adding to the intrigue, Capt Amarinder’s resurgence comes just days after BJP state president Sunil Jakhar was prominently featured in bypoll campaigns, underscoring the party’s concerted effort to reestablish roots in Punjab. Amid speculation, many political analysts see Capt Amarinder’s return as a tactical move by the BJP to align with Punjab’s agricultural concerns and appeal to rural voters ahead of the bypolls to four assembly constituencies. His influence and rapport with the farmers offer the BJP a unique advantage, especially when its image is under strain following the farmers’ protests over several issues, including legal guarantee on MSP.
The AAP government’s response, or lack thereof, has been increasingly scrutinized. In recent protests, farmers have taken to blocking roads and demanding immediate action from the state government. The state’s ruling party has argued that central regulations are primarily responsible for the current delays, deflecting criticism back to the Centre. However, Capt Amarinder contended that Punjab’s history of managing procurement under different governments, including his own Congress-led administration, debunks the narrative that Central opposition necessarily leads to procurement failures.
As Capt Amarinder engaged directly with affected stakeholders, his return underscored the demand for seasoned leadership, particularly in high-stakes situations like procurement. Farmers have been vocal about their support for leaders with demonstrated problem-solving records, which bolsters Capt Amarinder’s standing as a significant political figure in the Punjab landscape.
Criticism from his political opponents has only intensified, with AAP leaders accusing him of political opportunism. However, Capt Amarinder countered these accusations, insisting that his visit was rooted in a genuine desire to advocate for Punjab's agricultural community. As the state braces for bypolls, the former Chief Minister’s actions reveal his intent to make agrarian issues central to the political discourse, effectively bridging the gap between disillusioned farmers and government intervention.
In addressing the situation, Capt Amarinder remained undeterred, seeing it as his “duty” to act on behalf of Punjab’s agrarian interests. With a history of averting procurement crises even under challenging circumstances, his re-engagement is likely to strengthen his rapport with rural voters. As the state grapples with procurement woes, the question remains whether his reappearance will tip the scales in Punjab’s political scene, not only in favour of the BJP but also in favour of establishing more robust support mechanisms for farmers across Punjab.
