New Delhi: The BJP has taken a massive decision ahead of the assembly elections in five states by withdrawing the three contentious agricultural laws passed by the central government last year.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to make things easy for the BJP in Punjab by taking a step back, his decision also shows the struggle to recapture the big vote bank that was seen to be slipping out in western Uttar Pradesh.
Find out what the whole story behind the withdrawal of agricultural laws is.
According to BJP sources, PM Modi was briefed from time to time by the party president about the difficult situation for the BJP in western Uttar Pradesh. The inputs received from the Kisan Yatra taken out by the party had also opened the eyes of the party leadership. About a month and a half ago, a consensus started to build at the highest level in the government on the withdrawal of agricultural laws, though the government could still not make up its mind keeping in view the interests of small and marginal farmers.
Central Leadership Did Not Want To Take A Risk
Uttar Pradesh assembly elections have been seen as a forestep to Delhi. No party wants to make things difficult for itself in UP, which has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats. If power is lost for want of a little effort, it does not take much time to get the path to Delhi harder. Hence, the central leadership did not want to take any risk, sources said.
Those who think the repeal decision has anything to do with the Punjab assembly elections since the farmers from Punjab form a large chunk of the protesters at Delhi borders, should know that BJP has a little mass base in that state.
The Congress and the Akali Dal continue to enjoy dominance, though the Aam Aadmi Party overtook the Akali Dal to become the second largest party in the last assembly elections, leaving the BJP in the fourth slot.
Even after withdrawing the agricultural laws, the BJP does not expect much change there, though it will definitely be easier for BJP leaders to campaign in Punjab now. They may also find some new political partners, including the old coalition with Akali Dal, and former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh's new party.
The laws showed a significant impact in Haryana too, with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar facing strong opposition from different quarters.
Efforts On To Make Jats From Western UP Join BJP Again
Now, with the withdrawal of the agricultural laws, the BJP can hope those fanning opposition of BJP through Jat politics will desist from doing so, after having succeeded in mobilising the Jats on this pretext. Now the major challenge in front of BJP is to break this mobilisation and reconnect the Jats with the BJP in western UP.
A senior government minister had told ABP News that agricultural laws are a big milestone in farmers' interests and agricultural reforms. "We are not in the favour of its withdrawal, but we want to see who loses patience first. Agitating farmers or the government."
Finally, the government's patience succumbed and paved the way for the repeal of agricultural laws.
Did Alarm Bells Rang For BJP In UP?
Uttar Pradesh's political scenario played the biggest role in the withdrawal of agricultural laws. The Jat-Sikh mobilisation here had made the situation extremely difficult for the BJP.
Alliance between Chaudhary Ajit Singh's Lok Dal and Samajwadi party would have made things worse. The alliance would have had a direct impact on 136 seats in 26 districts, one-third of the total seats in the entire Uttar Pradesh.
Om Prakash Rajbhar has already parted ways in eastern Uttar Pradesh and formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party. The dispersal of votes is also a natural process because of the anti-incumbency trend.
Party strategist Amit Shah also analysed these micro factors closely and along with PM Narendra Modi came to the conclusion that the time has come when agricultural laws should be withdrawn, it is learnt.