Chandigarh, 25 February — Doubts loom over the participation of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM Non-Political) leaders in the fourth round of Ekta unity talks in Chandigarh on Thursday, as key leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health deteriorated.
Dallewal, suffering from a high-grade fever (103°F) and uncontrolled blood pressure, prompted an emergency meeting at the Khanauri border on Wednesday. “We have called Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) Sidhpur members to reach Khanauri on Thursday.
Discussions are ongoing, and we will announce our decision on participating in the talks later this evening,” SKM (Non-Political) leader Kaka Singh Kotda said.
Tensions over the Ekta talks escalated further after Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan objected to the invitation letter, stating it bore only the signatures of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leaders, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, and not SKM (Non-Political), headed by Dallewal.
The two factions—KMM and SKM (Non-Political)—have been protesting at the Shambu and Khanauri borders since February 13 last year.
SKM (Non-Political) had also withdrawn from the third round of unity talks on February 11, citing the unavailability of top leadership.
In an attempt to resolve differences, both forums issued a joint letter on February 18, inviting SKM (All-India) leaders, including Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal, and Dr. Darshan Pal, for discussions. “We hope your delegation will attend the meeting in the public interest,” the letter stated.
KMM leaders, including chief Sarwan Singh Pandher, have confirmed their participation in Thursday’s talks.
Raminder Patiala of SKM (All-India) said they are unsure about SKM (Non-Political)’s attendance but assured that SKM (All-India) leadership will be present.
The ongoing protest focuses on demands such as a debt waiver and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
However, SKM (All-India) argues that MSP is secondary to the Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, which they claim retains elements of the now-repealed farm laws.
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