The Punjab BJP hailed the withdrawal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s land pooling policy as a monumental victory for farmers and laborers, crediting relentless protests by the party and farmer organizations for forcing the state’s reversal. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma declared the decision a win for “Punjab and Punjabiyat,” emphasizing the party’s unwavering opposition to the policy since its announcement on May 14, 2025.

Sharma, addressing reporters on Tuesday, reiterated the BJP’s firm stance against any acquisition of farmers’ land. “From day one, we made it clear we would not allow even an inch of farmland to be taken,” he said. The party organized widespread protests at tehsil, block, and district levels, including a planned “Zameen Bachao, Kisan Bachao” rally in Patiala on August 17, which Sharma said significantly pressured the AAP government to backtrack.

The Punjab government’s decision to withdraw the policy, once promoted as “farmer-friendly,” came on Monday via a statement from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s principal secretary. The statement nullified the policy and all actions taken under it, including issued letters of intent and registrations, effective immediately. The move followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order on August 7, which imposed a four-week interim stay on the policy’s implementation, citing its hasty notification and lack of social and environmental impact assessments.

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Sharma accused AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain of attempting to “loot” Punjab through the policy, alleging that Delhi-based AAP leaders were controlling the state’s governance. “Punjab is not run by Punjabis,” he claimed, asserting that the policy was designed to benefit external interests at the expense of local farmers. He demanded a formal notification from the state to confirm the policy’s permanent scrapping and a statement from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ensuring no alternative land acquisition measures would be introduced.

The BJP marked the policy’s withdrawal with celebrations across Punjab, with supporters and farmers expressing relief on platforms like X, where posts described the decision as a “historic victory” for the state’s agricultural community. The reversal has sparked broader discussions about land rights and governance, with the BJP vowing to remain vigilant against future policies that could threaten farmers’ livelihoods. As Punjab’s political landscape evolves, the episode underscores the power of collective action in shaping state policy.

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