Punjab Land Pooling Policy: In a major blow to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, Tapinder Singh Grewal, the party’s Jodhan (Ludhiana) block president, resigned on Monday in protest against the state government’s controversial land pooling policy. Terming the policy “anti-farmer,” Grewal’s resignation is the first from within the ruling party and has sparked widespread political discourse across the state.
AAP MP’s Remarks Stir the Pot
Just a day before Tapinder Singh Grewal’s resignation, AAP Member of Parliament from Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his reservations about the land pooling scheme. He urged party leaders to build trust with farmers before pushing forward any such initiative and emphasized the importance of addressing farmers’ concerns with empathy and genuine dialogue.
However, in a surprising turn, Kang deleted his post, drawing sharp criticism from both within and outside the party. The now-deleted post had earned him praise for standing in solidarity with farmers, especially since he had earlier quit the BJP in 2020 over the contentious farm laws. Critics now accuse Kang of bowing under pressure, labeling the deletion as a retreat from principled resistance.
Unanswered Questions Over Unsold Land
One of the core criticisms of the land pooling policy revolves around the state government’s failure to sell previously acquired properties. According to official data, 27,111 residential, commercial, and industrial properties across Punjab remain unsold.
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) alone holds over 10,620 unsold plots, while the Punjab Mandi Board has close to 10,000. These figures have raised serious doubts about the state’s capacity to manage and utilize newly pooled land.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, questioned the government’s motive:
“Why is there a need to acquire 65,533 acres of fertile land when thousands of acres from earlier projects remain unsold?”
AAP Leaders Push Back
Despite the rising criticism, senior AAP leaders are attempting to calm the storm. AAP general secretary Deepak Bali dismissed internal dissent, claiming that Tapinder Grewal’s resignation stemmed from political pressure, not policy disagreements.
“This is a politically charged time. Opposition parties and private builders are misleading farmers. Our land pooling policy is voluntary and designed to end builder exploitation and provide affordable housing,” Bali said.
Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, echoed similar sentiments. He insisted that no landowner would be forced to participate in the policy, labeling the opposition’s narrative as “deliberate misinformation.”
Farmers Rise in Protest
While the government insists the policy is optional, ground-level resistance is escalating. Village panchayats in affected regions have begun installing signboards barring AAP leaders and land acquisition officials from entering their villages.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha activists held statewide protests on Monday, submitting memorandums to deputy commissioners in every district except Barnala and Ropar. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal staged a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali, showing unified opposition across party lines.
All Eyes on Tractor Rally
The spotlight now shifts to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s much-anticipated “Tractor Rally” on Tuesday, a statewide demonstration expected to see participation from all major opposition parties. Given the rising tension, the rally could become a turning point in Punjab’s political landscape, potentially reshaping the narrative around the land pooling policy.
The Punjab Government’s land pooling initiative has unintentionally ignited a firestorm of resistance—within its party, from opposition leaders, and among farmers. With unsold properties piling up, and trust eroding between the government and the farming community, the road ahead appears rocky. As protests intensify, the ruling AAP will need more than assurances; it will require real engagement and transparent solutions to address the core concerns of Punjab’s farmers.