Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Tuesday, 21 July urged farmers across the state not to panic over the proposed India-US trade agreement, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally guaranteed that the interests of farmers and livestock rearers will not be compromised. The statement came in direct response to growing anxiety among farming communities over the ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States.

What the Government Has Clarified

Dhillon stated that the Central Government has repeatedly confirmed that key agricultural commodities — including paddy, wheat, pulses, milk, and other farm produce — will remain entirely outside the scope of any proposed trade deal. He emphasised that no agreement has been finalised and that only preliminary discussions are currently underway. 'There is no reason for farmers to be misled or fall prey to rumours,' Dhillon said.

BJP's Attack on AAP and Congress

Targeting both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress (Congress), Dhillon accused the two parties of consistently exploiting farmers' issues for political gain and spreading what he called 'false propaganda.' He contrasted this with the BJP's record, asserting that the party has stood with farmers 'like a rock' and will continue to do so. The remarks are part of a broader BJP effort to consolidate its agrarian support base in Punjab ahead of any political mobilisation on the trade deal.

Invitation for Dialogue

Dhillon extended an open invitation to farmers' organisations harbouring doubts or concerns, saying the BJP-led Central Government is willing to engage in dialogue on every issue related to agriculture. He appealed to farmers in Punjab to remain vigilant against misinformation and to trust in PM Modi's leadership. Notably, Punjab's farm economy — heavily dependent on paddy and wheat — makes it particularly sensitive to any shifts in agricultural trade policy, and political parties across the spectrum have historically leveraged this anxiety.

BJP's Stated Commitment to Farmers

Reiterating the party's position, Dhillon said the sole objective of PM Modi and the BJP is to raise farmers' incomes and ensure their economic prosperity. He argued that Punjab's overall progress is inseparable from the welfare of its farming community. The BJP's outreach in Punjab comes against the backdrop of the party's continued efforts to expand its footprint in a state where it has historically faced stiff competition from both the AAP government and the Congress.