SKM Hails Defeat of Union Minister Ajay Misra Teni, Demands Criminal Prosecution

New Delhi: Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the farmers’ collective that led the year-long protest against the now repealed three farm laws, has congratulated the people of India, especially those in rural belts, for ensuring the “anti-farmer and anti-worker” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not get single-party majority.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, June 5, SKM said: “The people have severely punished the Modi led BJP particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where the farmers' movement was strongest and have given a resounding drubbing. In all these areas the BJP lost by huge margins and at places has not been able to conduct their campaigns.”

The statement particularly congratulated the voters of Lakhimpur Kheri in UP -- especially farmers and workers -- for defeating Union Minister of Home, Ajay Mishra Teni, the “main Conspirator of Lakhimpur Kheri Genocide of Farmers” , and demanded proper criminal prosecution against him/

Recall that SKM had launched a Jan Jagran Yatra in 20 states to highlight their demands, including the demand for legal guarantee for minimum support price. It had also conducted campaigns, urging people to defeat the ruling Narendra Modi-led BJP government for its “pro-corporate economic policies” that were detrimental to the interest of farmers, workers and people at large, causing large scale unemployment, uncontrolled price rise, poverty, indebtedness and unbridled rural to urban migration.

Read the full statement below:

Press Statement                         

5th June  2024, New Delhi

 *SKM profusely congratulates voters for punishing BJP denying its single party majority* 

   *SKM Welcomes defeat of Union Minister Ajay Misra Teni, demands proper Criminal prosecution* 

 *BJP faced drubbing where farmers agitation was massive* 

 *Voters considered livelihood issues decisive above communal agenda of Modi* 

 *Expects concrete action on pending demands on MSP@C2+50% with guaranteed procurement, Debt Waiver and repeal Privatisation of power sector* 

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has expressed its profound pride in congratulating the people for giving a concrete defeat to BJP by denying  its single party majority in the Lok Sabha. The people have severely punished the Modi led BJP particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where the farmers' movement was strongest and have given a resounding drubbing. In all these areas the BJP lost by huge margins and at places has not been able to conduct their campaigns.

SKM congratulates the voters of Lakhimpur Kheri  constituency in UP - especially the farmers and workers - for  defeating the Union Minister of Home, Ajay Mishra Teni, the  main Conspirator of Lakhimpur Kheri Genocide of Farmers. Four farmers and one journalist were murdered in this gruesome incident. But Prime Minister  Modi had been protecting Teni by retaining him in the cabinet. SKM strongly demands proper criminal prosecution against him and ensures justice to the martyrs of Lakhimpur Kheri.  

SKM had called a campaign to Expose, Oppose and Punish BJP for betraying the farmers and unleashing fascist repression on them by preventing their peaceful protest, lathi charging them, using water cannons and tear gas shells, filing serious cases and arresting them and ultimately unleashing genocide by driving SUVs on farmers protest in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021.

The peoples’ anger and firm resolve against the BJP was mainly a result of considering livelihood issues decisive above communal propaganda, undemocratic rule, misuse of central agencies against farmers’ leaders, misuse of UAPA against supporters and the fascist methods of repression unleashed by the RSS-BJP govt. The farmers, industrial workers, students, women, teachers, youth, cultural activists and all sections of people played an active role in these campaigns.

The SKM had also made complaints to the Election Commission of India to take action against misuse of religion and communal propaganda by the BJP to which it paid no heed. However the people at large did not fall prey to this vicious and unconstitutional conduct by the BJP and have voted sensibly by rejecting such divisive tactics.

The people also rejected completely all hyped up propaganda and Jumlas propagated by mainstream media houses, correctly labeled as Godi  Media for giving huge coverage to BJP’s false narratives and no space to peoples’ and farmers issues. The massive Exit Poll victory projections for the BJP proved that people had soundly rejected this misuse of media by the BJP.

While congratulating the farmers, the SKM wishes to reiterate that the farmers of India are steadfast on their resolve to intensify their agitation on their just demands and the SKM hopes that the new Government will solve all the pending demands  of 

a. Granting a MSP at Swaminathan formula of C2+50% for all crops with assured procurement.

b. Waive all debts of all farmers including private and Microfinance debts of landless and small farmers.

c. Reduce Electricity tariffs and give free electricity to tube wells and 300 units free electricity to all domestic users and shop keepers.

d. Withdraw all pending cases against farmers.

e. Ensure that the law is used to pursue criminal charges against Ajay Misra Teni, rather than allow its misuse to help Mr Teni. 

SKM warns the govt against any misadventure to reintroduce through the back door any of the provisions of the 3 Black farm laws as has been evident in its attempts to permit big deals with US food processing Giants recently.

SKM will take stock of the situation after evaluating the response of the impending government.