Punjab: At a point of political inflection post farmer agitation?

A state government guarantees jobs to youth and free IELTS classes in the same breath as it seeks a re-election. — Charanjit S Channi January 4, 2022 To protect the future of the Youth of Punjab, #LokaanDiSarkar launched ‘Punjab Government Rozgar Guarantee for Youth Scheme 2022’, under which 100% guaranteed jobs in the private or government sector will be given to every youth of the State. What’s palpable, though, is a high level of confidence, especially among the Jat peasantry, after the powerful central government rolled back the three farm laws barely three months ahead of the state elections. REGIONALISM OVER NATIONALISM The rise of a rightist BJP at the center, its rapid strides into the Hindi heartland and its rigid attitude toward the farm protests fueled regional sentiments in the state so much so that even the Badals had to break their partnership with their oldest ally, calling it a “real tukde tukde gang.” But the jury is still out on whether that breakup has helped the Akalis, who long extended “unconditional support” to the BJP, regain their place as Punjab’s own regional party, like the TMC of West Bengal or the DMK of Tamil Nadu. REGIONAL LEFT-OF-CENTRE EXPERIMENT The coming together of Punjab’s 22 farm unions as a Sanyukt Samaj Morcha under the leadership of veteran farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal carry all the hallmarks of left-of-center regional politics.