With the farmers’ protest entering day 98, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has announced that it will send teams to poll-bound states to urge voters to vote for candidates who can defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a press conference on Tuesday evening, BKU leader Balbir S Rajewal informed that the farmers’ union will send teams to the states where elections are due. “We will send teams to West Bengal and Kerala. We do not support any political party but we will appeal to the people to vote for candidates who can defeat BJP,” Rajewal said, adding that they will tell the public about the Modi government’s attitude towards the farmers.
Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav also reiterated Rajewal’s statement. “In the Assembly elections, we will appeal to people to punish the BJP and its allies who brought anti-farmer laws,” he said.
Yadav also said that major trade unions and farmers would stand together against the government. “In a meeting with 10 major trade unions, it is decided that farmers and labourers will fight this battle together. On March 15, labourers will take to the streets against privatization and corporatization. Farmers will join them,” he told during the press conference.
Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait alleged that the Centre is planning some steps against the ongoing farmers’ protest. “The silence of the central government for the past 15-20 days indicates that something is going to happen. The government is planning some steps to counter the farmers’ protest,” Tikait told reporters.
However, Tikait made it clear that till a solution is found, the farmers are not going to move back. The BKU leader said that “the farmers will look after his crops and the protests”. He added that the government could hold talks when it has the time to do so. Farmers are continuing to protest against the three contentious farm laws.
