BKU to mobilise farmers against BJP in Uttar Pradesh polls

LUCKNOW: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait, who has been steering the farmers’ stir against the new farm laws, said on Tuesday his organisation would align the farming community against BJP in UP assembly elections next year, if their demands are not met.
“Ye sahi hai ki kisanon ne BJP ko lagataar support kiya. Par ab nahi…UP elections mein hum poora mahul banayenge BJP ki khilaaf (It is true that farmers have supported BJP all along, but no more. We would create anti-BJP atmosphere in upcoming assembly elections),” Tikait said, while speaking exclusively to TOI on Tuesday. His statement comes a day before farmers’ unions gear up to observe May 26 as a ‘Black Day’ to coincide with seven-year rule of BJP government at the Centre.
He said, six months have passed since farmers have been protesting against new farm laws, but the government has turned a blind eye. Tikait, however, junked charges of the farmers’ protest being driven by support of Opposition parties. “Opposition ka kya hai, woh toh raasta dhoondege hi (Opposition will search for ways to take on the government),” he said.