Ludhiana/Jalandhar: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which once rose to popularity in Punjab by amplifying local issues and promoting pro-people discourse, now finds itself increasingly cornered—much like traditional political parties—as it faces public anger over its controversial Land Pooling Policy.
Land and agriculture have always been critical issues in Punjab. Even today, farming remains a highly organized and powerful sector in the state. While the Punjab government recently managed to corner internally divided into two-three groups- nearly three dozen farmers’ unions, it is now facing a growing backlash from those very quarters over the Land Pooling Policy.
Atmosphere Reminiscent of Pre-2020 Farmers’ Protest
In 2020, the central BJP government introduced three farm laws which were labeled “black laws” by farmers. The protest movement against them took shape gradually—beginning with local demonstrations, tractor marches, political opposition, widespread public mobilization, and eventually culminating in the massive Delhi Morcha.
Now, a similar grassroots environment is forming around the Land Pooling issue.
Ground-Level Opposition to AAP Emerges
Recently, reports have emerged of opposition to AAP leaders and supporters in areas where village lands are being targeted for acquisition under the Land Pooling Policy. In many such villages, locals are banning AAP representatives from entering and are rejecting their campaign efforts.
In several instances, villagers and local farmer leaders have not only stopped AAP members from promoting the policy but also seized and burned their promotional material.
Social Media Propels Farmers’ Narrative
Much like the pre-Delhi Morcha phase, the anti-land pooling sentiment is gaining significant traction on social media—even without the involvement of a formal IT cell. Videos of AAP leaders being driven out of villages are playing a key role in shaping public opinion online.
Opposition Parties Also Rally Behind Farmers
Just as they did during the farm laws protests, opposition parties in Punjab are now voicing support for farmers against the AAP government’s Land Pooling Policy. The cadre and networks of these parties are helping to further fuel the opposition movement.
Farmers Avoiding Hasty Steps
Interestingly, the farmer unions are adopting a cautious approach. Unlike their loud declaration in 2024 to launch a massive protest for a legal guarantee of MSP, this time they are focusing first on ground-level mobilization and awareness against land pooling before calling for any large-scale protests.
Intellectuals Raise Serious Questions
Punjab-based intellectuals and policy commentators are also raising red flags about the policy. They question the rationale of acquiring fertile village land for urban development, especially when previous governments had already acquired land for similar purposes—on which towns and projects have yet to materialize.
Others argue that offering village farmers plots in proposed urban centers in exchange for their ancestral land is misleading. There is little clarity on where these plots will be located within the new townships. Additionally, what happens to those farmers whose entire agricultural land is acquired? These are pressing concerns being raised by many.
Political Turmoil Inside AAP
Despite AAP’s ongoing efforts to promote the Land Pooling Policy as beneficial, the results have been underwhelming. This has triggered internal unease within the party.
Recently, AAP MP Malwinder Singh Kang (representing Anandpur Sahib) posted on social media that the party should engage in dialogue with farmers about the policy. Though he cited AAP’s pro-farmer stance under Arvind Kejriwal, the post was later deleted—sparking speculation and debate in media and political circles.
This incident has laid bare the internal rifts within AAP over the land pooling issue.
Future Outlook
Given the growing discontent among farmers, grassroots opposition, intellectual critique, and political unrest, the Land Pooling Policy issue is likely to escalate into a major controversy in Punjab in the coming days.
