Farm politics became defunct due to sustained increases in crop prices
In a year of crisis for Indian agriculture all kinds of solutions have been proposed. Stock answers range from farm loan waivers to halting amendments to the law on land acquisition. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi have even taken to well-publicized padyatras. There is something of a Who Killed Cock Robin quality to all this. What no one is asking is where is the fabled political leadership that once championed the farmer’s cause. There are few today who remember the names Sharad Joshi, Bhupinder Singh Mann and Mahendra Singh Tikait.
Every segment of Indian society—viewed through its caste, religion and regional variations—has a political leadership to push its interests. In any crisis event, it is this leadership that brings forth the demands of these sections and also helps provide succour. Regional parties are the best examples of this with each party championing the interests of its followers. Usually, this is a caste and region combination. It has worked well.