Farmers' Anger Erupts Against JJP Chief Ajay Chautala in Bhiwani

In a dramatic display of political discontent, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) supremo Ajay Singh Chautala faced a fierce protest by farmer activists during his scheduled visit to Kungar village in Bhiwani district today. The JJP leader was forced to turn back without holding the planned meeting as protesters refused to let him enter the village.

The incident comes as the latest in a series of similar protests against JJP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, in recent months. The farmers' anger appears to stem from their perception of the party's "betrayal" of their interests by aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state government.

As Ajay Chautala's convoy entered the village, a group of protesters, led by Rajesh Sihag, gathered at the entrance, carrying black flags and vowing to not let the JJP chief proceed. Despite attempts by Chautala's staff to reason with the demonstrators, the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition, forcing the JJP leader to retreat and return without holding the scheduled meeting. 

"Ajay Chautala had described the farmers' agitation as a 'bimari' (illness), which was highly objectionable. We will not let him or any JJP leader enter the village," Sihag asserted. Vikram Mittal, an expert on farmers' issues, opined that the farmers had perceived the JJP's alliance with the BJP as a betrayal of their trust. "The JJP won 10 seats in the last Assembly election against the BJP. It was evident that when it joined hands with the BJP, it would face this kind of fate during elections," he said.

The farmers' protests have not been limited to JJP leaders alone. They have also targeted BJP leaders during public meetings in Hisar and Fatehabad districts, reflecting the widespread discontent among the agrarian community. In a related development, Barwala JJP MLA Jogi Ram Sihag has tendered his resignation from the party's posts, citing personal reasons. Sihag had served as the vice-president of the Haryana unit and the in-charge of the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency. 

Meanwhile, Naina Chautala, the JJP MLA from Badhra and the mother of former Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, came to her son's defence, stating that the farmers' anger was directed at the BJP for blocking their way when they wanted to proceed to Delhi. "Chanay ke saath ghun pis jata hai," she said, implying that Dushyant was facing protests due to his alliance with the BJP.

Undeterred by the protests, Ajay Chautala dismissed the incident, stating that the media was portraying a ruckus by "two persons out of a group of 50" as a widespread protest. The JJP chief maintained that the party had "honoured the dharma of coalition politics" and was even willing to leave all 10 seats it had won, provided the promises made to the people were fulfilled. The ongoing confrontation between the farmers and the JJP leadership underscores the deep-rooted dissatisfaction among the agrarian community with the policies and alliances of the regional party.