Row over BKU President, a member of SC panel on farm laws; old video sparks controversy
Farmer Union leaders claimed that all 4 members in the committee are votaries of Centre’s farm laws. However, this disclosure of BKU President Bhupinder Singh Mann’s ‘Congress connection’ punctures holes in this theory.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the implementation of 3 farm laws and set up 4-member committee to break the deadlock between government and farmers.
The four-member committee includes Bhupinder Singh Mann of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Anil Ghanwat of Shetkari Sanghatana, agricultural economists Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi and Ashok Gulati.
However, controversy has broken over inclusion of BKU President Bhupinder Singh Mann in the panel.
Previous tweets and old video have resurfaced on social media, which indicate his and BKU’s soft corner for Congress and also ‘politically motivated’ nature of protest.
This comes in wake of political parties especially Left infiltrating the farmers protest for electoral gains. Vested interests are said to be working behind the curtain to prop up farmers agitation.
In a 2019 tweet, the Bharatiya Kisan Union announced open support for Congress party in Punjab for Lok Sabha elections. In fact, the BKU has always supported Captain Amarinder Singh during elections.
BKU supports Congress candidates in Punjab. Meeting was organized under leadership of S. Bhupinder Singh Mann Ex MP, National President of BKU, Chairman of All India Kisan Coordination Committee, S. Baldev S Mianpur President BKU Punjab at Batala in support of Sh. Sunil Jakhar ji pic.twitter.com/gna1FDovJF
— Bhartiya Kisan Union (@BKU_KisanUnion) May 11, 2019
BKU President’s ‘Congress connection’ raises questions
Some reports are claiming that all 4 members in the committee are votaries of Centre’s farm laws. But, this disclosure of BKU President’s ‘Congress connection’ punctures holes in this theory.
In a video shard by BKU dated April 15, 2019, Bhupinder Singh Mann can be heard announcing support for the Congress party.
Please see the live telecast of S. Bhupinder Singh Mann Ex MP, National President of BKU, Chairman of All India Kisan Coordination Committee. BKU decides to support @INCIndia
After evaluating the Manifesto of #BJPSankalpPatr2019, INC https://t.co/dvtOFfkuyY— Bhartiya Kisan Union (@BKU_KisanUnion) April 15, 2019
Earlier in the day, farmer Union leaders said at a press conference, “All names in the committee are in favour of the farm laws. Even if people opposed to the laws were there in the committee or if SC changes the names tomorrow, we will not agree then too. It is to send our agitation into deep freezer and we are here indefinitely.”
It may also be noted that Bhupinder Singh Mann has expressed support for Centre’s farm laws. In a letter to Agriculture Minister Tomar last month, Mann backed the farm laws but said that they should be implemented with some amendments. He also demanded a written assurance that the government will not do away with the Minimum Support Price (MSP).