The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has embarked on a significant dialogue with farmers from 1.25 lakh villages across the nation through the “Gram Parikrama Yatra” program. Launched on February 12, this initiative is scheduled to run until March 12, encompassing a month-long engagement with farming communities.
With the Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, the BJP has meticulously arranged various programs to establish a meaningful connection with farmers.
Rajkumar Chahar, the National President of BJP’s Kisan Morcha, emphasized the purpose of these initiatives, stating, “Through the Gaon Parikrama Yatra and Kisan Chaupal, we are actively engaging with farmers to gather their suggestions and expectations from Modi ji. These inputs will shape the ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, potentially becoming part of Modi’s commitments to farmers.”
The programs conducted nationwide were broadcasted on 900 screens, each district having one screen installed. This enabled live telecasts of village parikrama yatras and Kisan Chaupals, involving laborers and farmers from diverse regions.
Efforts to communicate with farmers also included the distribution of leaflets detailing the Modi government’s initiatives for farmers’ welfare. The village circles under the Gram Parikrama Yatra and Kisan Chaupal events aimed to facilitate direct communication with laborers and farmers, recognizing the contributions of ex-servicemen, martyr’s families, and progressive farmers in villages.
The Gram Parikrama Yatra commenced its journey on February 12 from Sukh Teerth in Muzaffarnagar, Western Uttar Pradesh. The inaugural rally witnessed participation from approximately 20,000 farmers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP Kisan Morcha National President Rajkumar Chahar, BJP Uttar Pradesh chief president Bhupendra Yadav, Dharampal Singh, local leaders, and villagers were all part of the engaging discussions during the program.
Rajkumar Chahar highlighted the widespread enthusiasm among farmers during the Gaon Parikrama Yatra, attributing it to the Modi government’s initiatives over the past decade. These initiatives include schemes such as Kisan Fasal Yojana, Kisan Samman Nidhi, crop insurance, Kisan Rail, Deep Irrigation, Nano Urea with a 50% subsidy, and the provision of 300 units of free electricity. He noted that the government has increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 1.5 to 2 times, and their outreach extends to 1.25 lakh villages.
The issue of MSP has gained prominence, particularly with substantial MSP purchases occurring for specific crops in Punjab. Rajkumar Chahar mentioned that MSP rates have consistently risen with production, and the government is actively engaged in discussions, particularly in Chandigarh. He assured that solutions to these concerns will be sought through dialogue, emphasizing the government’s historical decisions in favor of farmers’ interests. However, he acknowledged that matters like MSP require thorough discussions for a meaningful resolution.
In reflecting on history, Rajkumar Chahar recalled the ‘Lebi Movement’ during Indira Gandhi’s government. The ‘Lebi Movement’ arose in Uttar Pradesh when farmers faced low MSP rates, leading to the government’s forceful procurement of wheat at lower prices. He emphasized that the MSP issue remains critical, and the government will approach it with careful consideration, emphasizing the necessity for meaningful discussions to reach a resolution.
