Dilli Chalo: Union minister Piyush Goyal, others rush to Chandigarh to meet farmer leaders, CM Mann says meeting cordial

Mann informed the media, “The Centre had sent three ministers. A detailed discussion took place on the issue. The demands of farmers were put forth, including withdrawing police and railway cases against farmers from the time of the farm agitation and exemplary punishment for owners of companies selling spurious seeds. A consensus was also reached on these demands.”

Dallewal stated that their major demand for MSP guarantee on all crops did not reach any consensus. Piyush Goyal mentioned that this was a policy matter, and the decision would be taken after going to Delhi. He also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s report as Gujarat Chief Minister, stating MSP could be given on all crops, couldn’t be implemented now.

He added, “The meeting occurred in a conducive environment, with BJP ministers engaging in open discussions about our demands. It marks the first instance of a panel of ministers coming to Punjab ahead of our proposed protest. Although they mentioned returning to Delhi for further discussions with higher authorities, they assured us of a response before February 13, the day of our Dilli Chalo call.”

Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, affirmed, “We will continue preparations for the Dilli Chalo protest call, maintaining our stance. If the government responds positively, we’ll decide the next steps accordingly. The government must take farmers seriously and not take us for granted. While we appreciate their effort to come from Delhi before our indefinite dharna call, it’s essential for them to show genuine commitment. Interestingly, Punjab CM organized this meeting, while Haryana CM mentioned that union ministers were unavailable until February 14.”

Pandher suggested that the law on MSP guarantee could be brought in the current Parliament session.

Mann emphasized that they called the committee of ministers to prevent a repeat of the farm agitation. “During the farm agitation, we lost farmers and police cops. After all, they all belong to us. To preempt that, we called the committee of ministers here. It is better to call them here and hold a meeting. The dialogue would continue.”

He added, “More meetings will take place. Kisan organizations, including Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM non-political, were in the meeting. In the meantime, we will be in touch. It was a pleasant meeting. I raised Punjab’s side strongly. I am the Chief Minister of Punjab. It is my duty to raise farmers’ issues.”

Mann also clarified that policy decisions cannot be made in such meetings, but the farmers’ demands, including MSP, were discussed. He addressed the issue of stubble burning and suggested that the Centre should allow the state to grow pulses and provide MSP for them.

It is learned that the CM, who was in Delhi during the day, had impressed upon the Centre to send central ministers to Punjab for talks with the farmers. The CM participated in a protest against the Centre for “financial injustice” at Jantar Mantar on Thursday and was in talks with the Centre at the same time. During the Jantar Mantar protest, the CM expressed his desire to avoid a repeat of the farmers’ agitation.

However, in the evening, the three Central ministers reached Chandigarh and held meetings. Government sources mentioned that the Centre also agreed that they did not want an agitation in Delhi ahead of the Lok Sabha elections; hence, the meeting was held in Chandigarh.