BKU non-committal on opposing BJP in upcoming assembly elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to repeal contentious three farm laws has softened Bharatiya Kisan Union as it is yet to take a call whether it would oppose Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming assembly election or not.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, who is holding a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Lucknow on Monday said, as of now no decision has been taken over campaigning against BJP in assembly elections in UP or in other state assembly elections.

Earlier, Tikait had announced that the BKU would campaign against the BJP. The BKU had even asked its volunteers to oppose BJP leaders in their constituencies. After this directive, BJP was facing a tough time. A section of the BKU leaders even proposed to contest the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

In the changed scenario, Tikait said: " We had campaigned against BJP in Bengal elections but have not decided about doing the same yet in UP or in any other states.”

“We are waiting to see which way the wind will blow. For us, it is a wait and watch situation so far,” he said.

Tikait said that they were yet to be informed by the Union government about the withdrawal of the three farm laws. "We got the information only through media and are a communication from the government. I believe the Union Cabinet will pass a resolution in favour of repealing the farm laws and then the Government will ratify it in the winter session of the Parliament. It is a long process. Let’s see what is the official take of the government,” he said.

When asked whether Prime Minister has taken the decision to withdraw the farm laws because of impeding elections in UP and other states, Tikait said: “BJP's agenda can be elections but ours is farmers. For us, elections are far away.”

However, he made it clear that the withdrawal of the farm laws by PM Modi was late. "His advisors should have advised him earlier," he said.

The farmer leader, who led the agitation and was sitting on dharna at the Ghazipur border for the past year, said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has failed to fulfil the promises. “The BJP government talked a lot but did not deliver. Let them come up with a commitment to the farmer's issue," he added.