Farmers Movement Archive

Rakesh Tikait denies support to SP-RLD alliance

Prayagraj: National spokesman of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait has denied the reports of the Union extending support to Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (SP-RLD) alliance in the state assembly elections.Tikait, who arrived at Magh Mela to attend a ‘chintan shivir’, on Monday, said, “The Kisan Union will not extend its support to any political party or alliance.”He also clarified that no formal announcement was made about extending support to the SP-RLD alliance earlier. “We have not extended any support yet and we will soon confirm that through our official social media account as well.”He further clarified, “If someone comes to our house to seek blessings, we simply say ‘we are with you’. We are not telling anyone whom to vote for. We have decided that we will not support anyone,” and added, “I have already made it clear that we have nothing to do with the assembly elections in the state and people are free to vote for whomever they wish.” “No one from the Kisan Union will contest the state assembly polls,” he added. He, however, said that “the opposition should always be strong, whichever government comes in the state”. “Winning of Yogi Adityanath from Gorakhpur is a must for a strong opposition in the state,” he further asserted. Tikait also said that “farmers of UP are sensible and understand as to what they have to do”. Tikait said that he will also be meeting the family members of the farmers who died in Lakhimpur Khiri and would later chalk out a fresh strategy.

The Times of India

2022-01-18

Allahabad