Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday linked the Centre’s silence on farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike and the agitation at the Punjab-Haryana border to the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, urging it not to play politics over the issue.
Mann, addressing the media a few hours after the Supreme Court’s directions on Dallewal, said, “Do not play politics because the Delhi election is around the corner. Do not go down this route. They want to create problems for the Punjab government so that they can turn around and bash Punjab for these problems. One should not stoop to this level.”
Advocating dialogue between farmers and the Centre, Mann said, “If something happens to Dallewal, the entire responsibility will rest on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). There should be a dialogue to resolve the issue. What is stopping them from holding talks? All BJP spokespersons keep saying it will be resolved through dialogue, but the Centre keeps telling us to take Dallewal to the hospital.”
He added, “The man has been on a hunger strike for 38 days, but the situation at the site does not warrant shifting him. We took him to DMC Hospital for a health check-up. We can only urge him if talks fail. Punjab contributes the maximum to the central pool. I urge the Centre not to be adamant. Stubbornness only spoils matters. Issues are resolved by sitting at the table, even wars.”
Mann’s comments came hours after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched an attack on the Centre in Delhi. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X that if something happens to Dallewal, the BJP would be responsible. He accused the Centre of reintroducing controversial farm laws through a new agricultural policy. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also criticised the Centre, following a letter from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accusing AAP of ignoring farmers’ issues.
Responding to questions about why he hadn’t written to the Centre seeking dialogue, Mann said, “I speak to them daily. When we are in touch, where is the need to write? Our officers are in constant communication. We do not want any disturbances in Punjab. This land has seen enough bloodshed, and our wounds from 1947 still bleed.”
Rejecting the proposed Agricultural Marketing Policy, Mann said, “The Modi government, after coming to power again, is trying to reintroduce the same farm laws through the back door. Punjab has a unique mandi system with markets every five kilometres. This policy seeks to dismantle it. We cannot accept this. Are they emboldened by their Haryana election victory? Farmers are our annadatas.”
Mann emphasised Punjab’s mandi modernisation efforts and called the third farm law—eliminating mandis—a non-starter for the state. “We will formally reject this policy. Let them implement it elsewhere. If successful, they can approach us later.”
On Dallewal’s condition, Mann said, “He has been fasting for 38 days. All his demands are related to the Centre. Why can’t they meet him? The Supreme Court has directed Punjab to ensure his health, and we are doing so. Fifty specialist doctors are monitoring him, and we’ve converted a nearby dhaba into a medical facility.”
He appealed to Dallewal to prioritise his health, warning that prolonged agitation requires strong leadership. “The Centre wants him picked up, but there’s no violence at the site. The protesters are in our jurisdiction. If India aspires to be a Vishwaguru, why can’t it resolve farmers’ issues?”
Taking aim at Chouhan, Mann said, “He comes from an agrarian state but only follows the Supreme Court’s directions. Punjab officers and Cabinet ministers are in constant contact with the farmers. Haryana is using tear gas and water cannons. How are we responsible for this?”
Mann also highlighted the state’s agricultural sacrifices, adding, “Punjab produces 180 LMT of rice for the country, depleting its soil and water resources, yet the Centre offers only Rs 40,000 crore in return. They then claim they are helping us.”
He urged the Prime Minister and Union Agriculture Minister to adopt a national perspective, emphasising dialogue with all stakeholders. Mann accused the Centre of treating Punjab unfairly and cited the Prime Minister’s withdrawal of farm laws without acknowledging them as a mistake.
The Chief Minister concluded by urging restraint among farmers, warning against actions that harm Punjab’s interests, such as bandhs that cost the state Rs 100 crore in losses. He stressed that Punjab Police and farmers should not be forced into conflict, calling for a resolution through dialogue.
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