Quixplained: What prompted PM Modi's U-turn on farm laws?

After a year of slugging it our with the farmers, the Modi government on Friday surrendered in front of the protesting farmers.

So, what could have led to the historic announcement by PM Modi ahead of the first anniversary of the farmers protests?

1: First and foremost is upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh. The farm agitation threatened BJP's prospects in Western UP and the Lakhimpur Kheri killings fuelled the farm anger further. Kisan unions had called a mahapanchayat in Lucknow on November 22 and has threatened to disrupt PM Modi's campaign in state.

2: Prospects in Punjab. The decision to repeal the farm laws may pave way for a political alliance between Captain Amarinder Singh and the BJP ahead of the next year's polls.

3: Secondly, after whitewashed Monsoon Session, farmers protests threatened to derail the upcoming Winter Session. The farmers groups had announced daily tractor march to Parliament during the Winter session.

4: The move could disarm the opposition of a key and emotive election issue ahead of crucial polls in UP and other states.

5: Avert another farmer-government showdown ahead of the first anniversary of the protests. The farmers had planned an extensive protest calender November 26th onwards to observe one yea of protests.