The All India Kisan Sabha has called on farmers to support Left Front in West Bengal and SPA in Tamil Nadu assembly elections, intensifying its political stand on issues related to Minimum Support Price (MSP), agrarian distress, and federal rights.
In a statement, AIKS criticised the BJP-led NDA government, alleging that it has failed to fulfil its 2014 promise of ensuring MSP at 50 percent above comprehensive cost (C2+50%) with guaranteed procurement. It claimed that the lack of remunerative prices, coupled with rising input costs and reduced subsidies on fertilisers and fuel, has deepened the agrarian crisis and increased farmers’ debt burden.
The organisation also targeted the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, accusing it of anti-farmer policies and corruption. It highlighted the plight of potato growers, stating that farmers receive as little as Rs 2-3 per kg, while consumers pay significantly higher prices, benefiting intermediaries and traders.
AIKS welcomed the manifesto of the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which promises higher MSPs for paddy, sugarcane, and milk. It noted that such measures could benefit millions of farmers and strengthen the agricultural economy in the state.
Similarly, the Left Front in West Bengal, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has pledged to implement the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and ensure legal MSP for key crops. Plans to promote farmer cooperatives, reopen tea gardens, and support agro-based industries were also highlighted.
AIKS further raised concerns over centralisation of power by the Union government and demanded a greater share of tax revenues for states. It argued that strengthening opposition alliances is crucial to safeguard farmers’ interests, promote equitable policies, and uphold democratic and federal principles in the country.