Farmers ask BJP MPs, MLAs to support them or face social boycott

Lucknow: A panchayat in Agra has asked the nine MLAs and two MPs of the district to either issue a letter of support to the protesting farmers or face "social boycott".

The announcement comes a week after the khap panchayats in Muzaffarnagar called for a social boycott of those who do not support the farmers' agitation.

The farmers' groups in all districts will now start asking BJP legislators and MPs to clarify their stand on the farmers' protest or face the consequences, a BKU functionary said.

"We will stage protests at residences of MLAs and two MPs in the districts. We will ask them to provide a letter supporting the peaceful protest of farmers or they will have to face social boycott," the functionary added.

A BJP MLA from Muzaffarnagar on a condition of anonymity told IANS, "We are caught in a Catch 22 situation. If we do not support the farmers, we cannot win the elections in 2022. However, we also cannot defy the party line on this issue."

The MLA also added that the leadership should try to resolve the matter at the earliest as both sides seem to be hardening their stand.

Meanwhile, several Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) functionaries have expressed apprehension over the legal notices being sent to farmers for 'instigating' people against the three laws.