Farmers will set 2019 agenda

Why 2019 could be first Lok Sabha election to be fought on issues of farmers

Has the farmers’ movement finally arrived at the centre stage of national politics in India? And, can 2019 be the first Lok Sabha election to be fought mainly on farmers’ issues?

I asked myself these questions sitting at the stage of Kisan Mukti March at the Parliament Street last week. Tens of thousands of farmers from all over the country had gathered under the banner of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella forum of over 200 farmers’ organisations. For once, a farmers’ rally was not reported as a traffic nuisance or a law and order issue.