Masterstroke by Modi, Punjab is as good as won

• Decision to repeal farm laws would help BJP in Western UP
• Forgiveness has a special appeal in Sikhism
• PM’s expression of regrets would go a long way in endearing the Sikhs

The early morning address to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreeing to repeal the three farm laws is a masterstroke. It will help him and his party fare better in the assembly elections due in three months in five states, particularly the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, a very important state to win for the sake of BJP’s future in 2024 general elections. Most of the farmers in the movement are from Punjab and Western UP. The setback in recent elections suffered particularly in Himachal Pradesh, close to Punjab, was also one of the reasons for the rethink on the part of the prime minister.

Forgiveness has a special relevance in Sikhism and the prime minister’s talk about his intent not to blame anyone on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti would be received well by the people of Punjab.

This move will go down with the farmers very well. It will certainly help the party to win over the farmers in Western UP. Its impact on Punjab would be substantial. The Akalis who left NDA alliance due to the governments could not care less attitude towards the farmers’ movement can walk back into the alliance with cheers. Captain Amarinder Singh who had a long meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah purportedly to discuss farm laws can claim that he too was responsible for the climb down by the centre on farm laws and enter into an alliance with the BJP. If he has no time to launch his own party, he can as well join the BJP in order to stall former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu from winning the 2022 elections and become a chief minister. He has thanked the Prime minister for “acceding to the demand of every Punjabi on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.” The captain had already backed the decision of the Centre to expand the jurisdiction of Border Security Force (BSF). He has been cosying up with to the BJP  ever since Rahul and Priyanka decided to make Sidhu the pcc president.

 Aam Admi Party chief Arvind Kejriwl said the “martyrdom” of over 700 farmers who died during the protests will always  be remembered. “The coming generations will remember how the farmers of my country risked their lives to protect farmers and farming,” he said.  Besides helping the ruling party across the country to win over the farmers, it will also help assuage the feelings of the party leaders in north India.

The PM had Punjab particularly in mind since he chose Guru Nanak’s birthday to make a very important announcement. He made the announcement within a couple of days after reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the road to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan which is supposed to benefit a large number of Sikh pilgrims. Sidhu  hailed the ‘sacrifice’ of the farmers and called the PM’s move “ a step in the right direction.’

Opposition parties have congratulated the agitating farmers for having their way in respect of the contentious farm laws. PM’s move would force the opposition parties to reshape their election campaign as the main weapon of farmers’ agitation is taken away from the agenda. Those who support the BJP, besides the BJP leaders themselves, can feel relieved that they would not have regular confrontation with the farmers who were obstructing them from campaigning. Akali leaders can have a huge sigh of relief.  

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