18 August, 2025 – Patiala : The BJP on Sunday claimed credit for the withdrawal of the state government’s controversial land pooling policy as it held a rally in Rajpura to woo farmers ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly poll.
The Kisan-Mazdoor Fateh Rally, held to celebrate the farmers’ victory, was attended by almost all big Punjab leaders, including state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, working president Ashwani Sharma and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu.
The party also claimed that the Centre’s now-withdrawn three controversial farm laws were introduced after consultation with its earlier ally SAD, which “lied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi” that state farmers were “in favour of the legislations”.
The central laws were withdrawn by the BJP-led Centre following a year-long protest at the Delhi borders by farmers in 2020-21, the period during which the SAD walked out of the decades-old alliance with the party. The controversy had led to deep distrust between state farmers and the BJP as party leaders faced fierce opposition while campaigning for the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in rural areas.
The land pooling initiative, under which the government had planned to acquire around 65,000 acres, was withdrawn following a political backlash, farmer opposition and a High Court order that stayed the its implementation for four weeks. Targeting ruling AAP, Jakhar demanded clarity on who framed the initiative. He also alleged that the state was being run by “outsiders”.
“It is either (AAP chief Arvind) Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia who framed the policy, while the Chief Secretary was made the chairman of the committee (implementing it). Neither the CM nor his cabinet was involved. Kejriwal is working as a proxy CM, whereas it was Bhagwant Mann for whom Punjabis had voted,” he said. Jakhar thanked farmers and BJP workers for the withdrawal of the initiative.
“It is due to your tireless efforts and pressure that this anti-farmer policy has finally been revoked,” he said.
Ashwani Sharma claimed that the BJP’s “consistent fight” at the block and tehsil-levels forced the government to withdraw the policy.
“AAP’s expiry date has arrived. The people of Punjab demand Modi Sarkar. Even promises like MSP on 24 crops by AAP remain unfulfilled. Punjab should look at BJP-ruled Haryana that offers MSP to farmers on all vegetables and fruits,” he said.
Ravneet Singh Bittu termed the withdrawal of the policy a historic win for farmers. “This was not just a political success but a fight for our land,” he said claiming that only a BJP government could free Punjab from its mounting debt burden.
Bittu also alleged that when the now-revoked central laws were brought, Modi had talked to SAD leaders.
“The SAD lied to PM Modi, saying that discussions had been held with farmers and they were backing the laws. When Modi came to know about the Akali Dal’s lie, the BJP withdrew the laws after an apology,” said Bittu.
Former Patiala Lok Sabha MP Preneet Kaur thanked farmers and BJP workers for their support. “The BJP is on the path to victory in the 2027 Assembly elections,” she said.
SAD rejects charges, says accusations far from truth
Reacting to the BJP allegations, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said Bittu’s statement was “far from truth”.
“If the SAD was privy to the farm laws and knew about them, there was no reason to break away from the Union government and quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance,” said Cheema.