Caught in a fix, Jalandhar AAP leaders suggest ‘rethink’ over land pooling policy

Ruling AAP leaders and workers here are in a tight spot since farmers intensified their protests against the land pooling policy, with party sources saying they have suggested a “rethink” on the initiative.

Apprehensive of the backlash they might face over the issue, a source said most leaders had avoided giving any statements on the issue in the media and were regularly updating party’s Punjab affairs incharge Manish Sisodia on the ground situation.

Another source said several leaders suggested a rethink on the policy as “things were increasingly becoming difficult for them”. A senior leader of the party, on the condition of anonymity, said, “While farmers are already upset, we are also wary of the fact that there is no demand for housing in Punjab.”

‘Projects already pending’

“Already several plots and flats constructed by improvement trusts and PUDA are lying unsold. The applicants have been seeking refunds from us for Surya Enclave Extension in Jalandhar. The farmers from whom land was acquired for Transport Nagar in Jalandhar more than 15 years ago are still awaiting compensation. We hope that the party would roll back the policy,” he added.

Meanwhile, farmers of Kukkad Pind in Jalandhar Cantt put up a hoarding banning the entry of AAP leaders in the village.

AAP’s Jalandhar Cantt halqa incharge Rajwinder Thiara said she went to meet an ex-sarpanch of the village on the matter.

“I was not stopped anywhere but I realised that farmers were in no mood to listen to any explanation about positive aspects of the policy at this stage. So, we have no choice but to wait for improvement in the situation,” she said. A bigger worry for her is an upcoming mahapanchayat announced by farmers at Kukkad Pind on August 20.

Earlier, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Doaba) president Manjit S Rai had put up a hoarding banning the entry of party leaders in Pur Hiran village of Hoshiarpur.

Punjab