Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) head Rakesh Tikait denies reports that the BKU has offered its
support to any political parties during the lead-up to the elections for the state assembly
across five states.
Mr. Tikait, who arrived in Magh Mela to attend a three-day “Chintan Shivir” of farmers at
the Parade Ground, said on Tuesday, “We will not support anyone in this election.”
The statement came following BKU President Naresh Tikait’s plea to the Rashtriya Lok Dal-
Samajwadi Part alliance ahead of the elections for the assembly for Uttar Pradesh.
But after a few hours of meeting with Sanjeev Balyan of the BJP in Sisauli, the BKU chief
retracted his remarks and stated that he was not supporting any candidate.
The farmers “Chintan Shivir,” Rakesh Tikait said, debated the farmers’ problems.
“Matters related to farmers and the organization were discussed in a three-day
brainstorming session,” Rakesh Tikait said.
Its BKU president also expressed displeasure with the government, claiming promises were
not fulfilled.
“During the nationwide farmers’ agitation, the government had promised to form a
committee.
Unfortunately, that has not been done.
Several people were sent to jail in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and MoS Home Ajay
Kumar Mishra is still on his post.
This is a big issue. There are issues with the procurement of grains. These were the topics
that were discussed,” Rakesh Tikait told reporters.
He also stated, “the “biggest victory” of the 13 months of farmer protests against (now
abrogated) three laws governing agriculture is that major political groups “now think about them.”
