Will study manifestos of parties before taking call on support in UP elections: Rakesh Tikait

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

Muzaffarnagar, December 17

Two days after he called off the farm stir, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday addressed a massive gathering (mahapanchayat) at his native village, vowing to renew agitation if farmers’ issues remain unaddressed.

Raising the heat on the eve of UP elections, he declared that the farmers would review the manifestos of parties and then decide whom to support. “Let all parties tell us what they have for the farmers. We will assess the promises and intent of each party,” he said.

“Farming has been reduced to an unprofitable occupation. Attempts are being made to corporatise the sector and give away vast tracts of land to industry. We will not let this happen. We believe in fair dealings. But Delhi is unfair and non-transparent,” Tikait declared as farmers spoke of rising power bills, pending cane dues and stray animal menace.

He said the “ongoing discrimination against the local panchayat in the district council” would not be condoned. “The administration must put its house in order. We also warn against ‘favouritism’ by the police and one-sided actions. If this continues, there will be agitations,” Tikait said amid a thunderous applause by an over 3,000-strong crowd. He said the SKM would meet on January 15 and “study the status of government promises.”