Away from the breakfast and dinner that leaders have been hosting to forge Opposition unity, there was also a meeting, about a month ago, between a political consultant and some leaders of the farmer unions protesting against the three new farm laws. The consultant suggested the farmer leaders should float a political party and contest the Punjab Assembly elections next year. Their party, the consultant said, could win as many as 35 out of 117 Assembly seats in the State.

There are two views among the farmer unions over the issue of participation in elections. There are those who say conflicting political affiliations will divide the peasantry, and a poor electoral performance will unravel the unity forged by them. Their movement cannot be sacrificed for elusive political gains, as they disagree with the consultant’s rosy assessment about their electoral prospects.