BJP's Punjab Reset Hits A Roadblock As Farmers Return To Shambhu Border
The BJP's efforts to reset its political relationship with Punjab's farming community have been complicated by new protests at the Shambhu border. Farmers are demonstrating against a proposed India-US trade deal, echoing the tensions of the 2020-21 farm laws agitation.
Why it matters
The resurgence of farmer protests poses a significant political challenge for the BJP in Punjab, potentially derailing their attempts to move past previous agricultural policy controversies.
Just days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab appeared to mark the beginning of a political reset for the BJP in a state where the party has struggled to overcome the legacy of the 2020-21 farm laws agitation. The focus was firmly on development, infrastructure and investment. PM Modi's decision to wear a green turban, a colour closely associated with Punjab's farming community, was widely seen as a symbolic outreach to rural voters.The message was unmistakable: the BJP wanted Punjab's politics to move beyond the farm laws and towards development as it prepared for Assembly elections due in about six months.That narrative, however, has been disrupted by the farmers' agitation against the proposed India-US trade deal.With thousands of farmers gathering at the Shambhu border and Haryana Police once again stopping them from marching towards Delhi, Punjab is witnessing scenes that evoke memories of both the 2020-21 farm laws…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in