Delhi is witnessing a renewed farmers’ protest, with more than 200 unions staging a march to the national capital after inconclusive talks with Union ministers. The city and its borders are fortified for the protest, posing a significant challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In 2021, farmers from Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh forced the repeal of three farm laws after a year-long protest on Delhi’s borders. The current protest, ahead of the upcoming elections, tests the BJP’s political strength. Farmers from politically crucial states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, are participating, representing a significant voting bloc.
Punjab, with 13 Lok Sabha seats, becomes a battleground with a multi-cornered contest expected in the upcoming elections. Haryana, where the BJP won all 10 seats in 2019, may face challenges due to active farmer participation. Uttar Pradesh, contributing 80 Lok Sabha seats, holds importance for the BJP, which won 62 seats in 2019. The farmers’ protest becomes a crucial factor for both the ruling BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc, influencing their electoral prospects.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term, the farmers’ agitation serves as a test for the BJP’s dominance in these agriculturally significant states. The opposition, grappling with internal issues and exits by key allies, sees an opportunity to make an impact before the 2024 elections. The protest’s impact on these states could shape the political landscape in the run-up to the polls.
