'Farmers turning Punjab into state of dharna': CM Mann's 'leniency' warning for unions; Congress reacts

NEW DELHI: The opposition parties launched a scathing attack on Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann after he suggested punitive action against the protesting farmer bodies who have turned Punjab into a "state of dharnas" and caused huge losses.
A day after talks between the Punjab government and Samyukta Kisam Morcha leaders, Mann alleged that the farmers are trying to run a "parallel government" by promising to "resolve" issues of villagers.
"My leniency should not be considered that I cannot take action," Mann said.
"Sometimes they stop trains, block roads, stop NHAI projects. They (some farmer leaders) now hold 'dharnas' outside immigration offices. They are now into resolving a dispute between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Is this parallel government running?" he added.

Mann also cited examples and claimed that online deliveries are getting delayed in the state due to the ongoing protests.
"If you seek delivery of a product ordered on Amazon portal, the charges of getting the delivery in Delhi will be different from that of in Punjab. It will also be mentioned that roads are blocked and higher rates will be charged and it will take 15 more days to make the delivery," he said.
"Is this our international image," he said.
Mann's remarks came after SKM leaders claimed that many of their leaders were "detained" ahead of their planned protest in Chandigarh on March 5.
Meanwhile, Congress slammed Punjab CM for his remarks and said that Mann must come back to his senses and listen to the farmers
"The action being taken by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab against the farmers is absolutely wrong. It deserves as much condemnation as possible. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann should come to his senses, drop his arrogance, and listen to the farmers' concerns," Congress said in a post on X.
"Otherwise, 'Delhi' is still remembered!" it added.
Earlier, talks between Mann and Samyukta Kisam Morcha leaders to discuss farmers' demands broke down midway. Farmer leaders claimed that a "livid" Man "walked out of the meeting in a huff without any provocation".
The CM, however, said his doors are always open for talks with the farmers but inconvenience and harassment of the public in the name of agitation should be avoided.
SKM, which led the 2020 protest against the now-repealed three farm laws, is calling for the withdrawal of the Centre's draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. They are also demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) as per the Swaminathan Commission report, the implementation of the state's agricultural policy, and the purchase of six crops at MSP by the state government.
For the past year, the

Samyukta Kisan Morcha

(Non-Political) and

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha

have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, advocating for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP.