Punjab: Split in farmers’ union, leaders demand removal of president Dallewal

Punjab: The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur) split into two factions on Tuesday after senior office-bearers, block presidents, and district presidents from eight districts demanded the removal of president Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The group declared Dalbir Singh Sidhupur, son of union founder Pishora Singh Sidhupur, as convener. The decision was taken at a meeting held at Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Navvin in Bahadurgarh, near Patiala. Attendees said they would not work under Dallewal and accused him of acting dictatorially. Dallewal is a well-known farmer leader who fasted for 131 days from November 26 to April 9 last year to press for various demands of the agitating farmers, including a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
He also led the Khanauri Morcha during the year-long Kisan Andolan 2.0. The meeting was led by the union’s state press secretary, Mehr Singh, and was attended by the district presidents of Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Ferozepur, and Rupnagar, along with other officials and farmers. Speaking to the media, Dalbir Singh said that the organizational elections, required every three years, had not been held for six years. He claimed that, therefore, the union had no valid president and no new recruitments had taken place. He alleged that the decision to distance itself from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and launch separate Shambhu and Khanauri Morchas had failed. He claimed that lives were lost during the year-long protests, and many farmers are still searching for stolen tractors and other valuables. He further stated that members who objected were expelled. Dalbir Singh said that after his father’s death, the organization handed over the leadership to Dallewal after consulting with the family, but alleged that he failed to keep the union united and expelled key officials. A five-member committee was formed to plan the elections. Dalbir Singh was appointed convener to oversee the process. Dallewal was unavailable for comment. However, senior leader Kaka Singh Kotra said there was no split in the organization and announced a response at a conference in Jalandhar on Wednesday.