Tikait to take stir to Bengal; SKM ditches Punjab Mahapanchayats for Feb 18 'Rail Roko'

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Tuesday anunced that all 'Mahapanchayats' scheduled in Punjab have been postponed. decision taken by 32 farmer union leaders comes in wake of  proposed ‘Rail Roko’ agitation across India on February 18.

SKM leaders anunced decision during a press conference at Singhu border on Tuesday evening after ir meeting to chalk out strategy for agitation was concluded. All trains across country would be stopped for four hours from 12 pm to 4 pm on February 18.

Meanwhile, or faction of farmer leaders on Tuesday said y will hold meetings in poll-bound West Bengal as well, with one of m indicating that y will ask people re t to vote for those who are "snatching our livelihood".

Speaking to reporters on sidelines of a farmers' 'Mahapanchayat' at Garhi Sampla in Haryana's Rohtak, farmer leaders said like many or states, y will tour West Bengal too shortly. Replying to a question, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said, "We will tour entire nation, we will also go to West Bengal. Farmers in West Bengal are also facing problems. y are t getting good rates for ir crops."

Farmer leaders to hold 'Mahapanchayat' in West Bengal

Addressing 'Mahapanchayat', he said, "We will hold panchayats across country. We will go to Gujarat, Maharashtra, or places... We will go to West Bengal and hold a big meeting re too. farmers of West Bengal are facing some issues with state government as well as Centre. We will hold a panchayat re as well."

Asked if visit would be connected to upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal, Tikait told reporters, "That is t case, we will go re in connection with farmers' issues."

However, Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni, during his address to 'Mahapanchayat', appealed to people t to cast votes for anyone from panchayat to Parliament if y do t help protesting farmers and support ir agitation. "Do t give your vote to m, you may give it to anyone else," he said.

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Later, talking to reporters along with Tikait and some or farmer leaders, Chaduni said, "As far as West Bengal is concerned, if those from BJP are defeated, n only our stir will succeed. In West Bengal too, people are dependent on agriculture. We will go re and urge farmers that those who are snatching our livelihood, do t vote for m."

Asked if y are going to West Bengal because state is going to polls, Chaduni quipped, "We are t going re to help anyone in election, but we will hold rallies re to awaken farmers... We will tell farmers, labourers and common people that se laws are pro-corporates."

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(With ncy inputs)