Ravneet Singh Brar, who was an active participant in the farmer's protest against Centre’s three contentious agriculture-related laws at Singhu border since day 1 and also was the spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian) has filed nomination from SAS Nagar Assembly constituency on Samyukta Samaj Morcha’s ticket, a political front of around 18 farm unions of Punjab. He says that the people are fed up with old traditional political parties, leaders and old style of politics. People want honest politics and freedom from unemployment, corruption and nepotism.
38- year -old Brar, who hails from Punjab's Muktsar and holds an MBA degree, says that even after 70 years of country’s independence, parties like Indian National Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that ruled the State for so many years have failed to improve infrastructure in government hospitals and educational institutes and provide adequate employment opportunities for the youths of the State. Leaders of these parties are still talking about providing free food ration (five or ten-kilogram rice and wheat) to the people through a public distribution system, building street roads, and lights among others. Strengthening the public sector for education and healthcare are among key agendas for the SSM. If voted to power, SSM will introduce IELTS training institutes to meet the aspirations of those who want to migrate to other countries along with working to facilitate job opportunities in Punjab. The SSM is for eradication of substance abuse among youth by giving them a suitable social environment, Brar adds.
In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Brar talks about SSM’s election strategies, campaigns, party’s stand on state’s pertinent issues among others. Excerpts from the interview:
You actively participated in farm agitation. Why did some leaders of farmer unions that protested against the Centre’s now repealed farm laws under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) jump into the poll fray and announced a political outfit, the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM)? What was the need of it?
Large numbers of famers’ unions had participated in the agitation. After its suspension as the Centre government had withdrawn the three farm laws, most of the farmer leaders had expressed their views of forming a political party to meet the aspiration of the common people as traditional political parties have failed to do so. They had their opinions that only regional parties in the State can address the concerns of the people. At the same time it is also true that some farmer leaders had expressed their opinion of not forming a political party. But after consulting a large number of people of State and based on the opinion of most of the farmer leaders, a new Sanyukt Samaj Morcha was formed for contesting Punjab Assembly elections.
According to the statement of the coordination committee of the SKM, the farm body is firm on its stand of not allowing any political party to use its banner. Do you think farmers will vote for SSM candidates in this Assembly election?
Not only farmers, people of all sections of society would vote for SSM candidates. We fought against the centre's three farm laws. We would work to meet demands of farmers of ensuring MSP for crops and make farming remunerative avocation. The whole of Punjab wants change. Punjab wants new faces and honest politics. We want Punjab to be free from all the problems it is facing today. SSM has fielded its candidates to bring a socio-political change in Punjab.
SSM is a new party and no political party or even people have anything to say against your party while all traditional parties are marred by some controversy. Would your party be able to take advantage of it?
Several scams reported in the State and many leaders of traditional political parties have been involved in corruption. During the previous elections, these political parties had released election manifesto and promised people of addressing issues of unemployment, delivery of justice in desecration cases, illegal sand mining and drug menace, but nothing was done on the ground. Leaders of these parties are now again promising the same along with announcing freebies like free or subsidised electricity, transfer of fixed some amount into the account of few people, distribution of scooty among others to woo the voters. They will again do nothing for the welfare of the people.
But our party will focus on how the agriculture sector of Punjab can be strengthened and how crop diversification can take place to increase the income of farmers. Emphasis will be laid on improving education and health infrastructures as well as creation of job opportunities for youths. We have plans to prepare particular clusters for each of the crops in different parts of the State. Different government agencies will be roped in to achieve this objective, if the party forms the next government in Punjab.
Opinion polls of television news channels say SSM alone cannot win many seats but definitely can dent the prospective candidates of other parties. What would you say?
To get favour in the opinion polls, crores of rupees are being spent by parties. Congress and SAD are promoting nepotism. AAP is no more a common man’s party as allegations regarding distribution of tickets by taking money from the candidates was leveled against this party on several occasions. Traditional old parties have disappointed and dismayed people even after repeated opportunities. Strengthening the public sector for education and healthcare are among key agendas for the SSM. SSM will form the government in the State after winning more than 70+ seats.
Opposition alleges that SSM has given tickets to gangster-turned-activist Lakha Sidhana from Maur in Bathinda and others who were allegedly involved in the Republic Day violence last year. This party has overlooked the controversial past of candidates. Several candidates who had no role to play in the farm stir had also been given the ticket. Your comments
SSM has merged an alliance with Sanyukt Sangharsh Party (SSP) led by Gurnam Singh Charuni which will contest on 10 seats. So far, both the parties have declared candidates on 115 out of 117 Assembly seats in Punjab. The party has given representation to all sections of society including doctors, farmers, youth and professionals of different fields. Tickets were also given to those who had actively participated in farm agitation. People like Lakha Sidhana ji and other social activists so the party has decided to give them tickets.
According to you, what are the real issues in Punjab?
People’s welfare and development of the State has been overlooked due to tussle among leaders of different political parties. Eradication of corruption, improvement in health infrastructure, providing quality education in government schools and colleges, employment opportunities for youth, delivery of justice in desecration cases, checking illegal sand mining and drug menace are the key issues in the Assembly elections.
Against what is your party fighting in this Assembly election?
We are fighting against corruption, nepotism, unemployment and false promises made by the traditional party leaders. Election is an investment for some political parties. People are misled through its manifesto. They make big promises but after winning the election, they indulge corruption and nothing is done to meet the promises. I want the manifesto declared by political parties to be made a legal document so that people can't be misled by the leaders.
What is politics for you?
I belong to a farming family and completed an MBA degree in Mohali. Not a single member of my family had contested even a panchayat election in the past. During the farm agitation, I was made SKM spokesperson. Politics for me is service to the nation. I have been involved in social activities for the last many years. I was also made secretary of Chandigarh United National Association which is affiliated to Indian Federation of United Nation Association.
Money matters in Elections. In SAS Nagar Assembly constituency, political heavyweights like former Punjab Health Minister and Congress candidate Balbir Singh Sidhu and former Mohali Mayor and AAP candidate Kulwant Singh are contesting elections. Where do you see your party in this election?
During his tenure as a health minister, the Congress candidate didn't improve infrastructure in government hospitals. Due to poor health infrastructure, leaders go to private hospitals for their treatment. AAP is no longer a common man’s party and has become a rich people's party. On many occasions, AAP has been accused of distributing tickets by taking money from candidates. 60-70 per cent tickets were given to those who were shifted from other parties in AAP. People will vote SSM because it stands for welfare of the people and development of the State. All should vote for change. During the door to door campaign, I got good responses from the people. I am confident of winning the election from SAS Nagar Assembly constituency.
What would you say to the people of the State ahead of the Assembly election?
I would urge the people to question the contestants of all political parties, including the SSM, to know their constructive vision for Punjabis. All the people should exercise their precious vote to bring change in the political system of the State. Vote for those candidates who would address their grievances and pertinent issues of the society.