Not going to join politics, says Tikait

The farmer leader, however, conceded that farmers will play the role of kingmaker in the states going to polls

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha is not contesting elections and that he was not going to join politics.

The comment was made in the context of farmers’ organisations creating a political front to contest Punjab elections due in February.

Asked about his stance on Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, also due in February, he said he will speak on it after the model code of conduct comes into force.

Also Read — 22 farm bodies in Punjab announce political front, to contest upcoming state polls

He, however, said farmers will play the role of a kingmaker in UP. “Samyukt Kisan Morcha is not contesting any election. Some people had gone there ‘on leave’ for four months, someone is playing cards, someone is roaming... what can we do? After four months, we will see who has gone and who has done what,” he said.

“We are holding a meeting on the 15th and we will talk about this then,” Tikait told reporters when asked about the farmers' group forming a political front in Punjab.

He also alleged inaction on part of the BJP in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, wherein farmers were mowed down, allegedly by the son of Ajay Mishra, the Union Minister of State for Home.

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