One of the reasons the BJP government repealed the draconian Farm Laws and ended the 2020-21 Farmers Protest (FP) 1.0 was the upcoming elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Panjab. The 15-month long protest made voters realize the farmers were correct and BJP tried averting further damage to its reputation. Panjab started experiencing the side effects of the FP 1.0 during and after the state assembly polls held in 2022. Despite having facilitated the FP 1.0, INC was voted out of power and bagged 23.1% votes against a 38.64% share in 2017. The worst-hit was SAD, which snapped 24-year-old ties with the BJP on the issue of the now-scrapped farm laws. The party's vote share nosedived to 18.38% in 2022 compared to 30.6% in 2017. AAP made a host of promises, including Minimum Support Price to farmers and bagged 42.01% votes. This time, AAP is trying to side with farmers' unions. CM Mann joined their talks with central ministers, demanded Internet be restored, called out Shambu and Khanauri barricades as a border between India and Panjab, and wrote to Haryana to not use drones to drop tear gas, especially in Panjab. Farmers continue to ask him to do more. INC demanded a police case against Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij and police for using tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the farmers at interstate borders. SAD was trying to join hands with BJP but the protests have stalled its plans. SAD has announced full support for the farmers. BJP's rural push plans in Panjab and Haryana are in complete disarray.
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