Rakesh Tikait rules out poll plunge; warns parties visiting protest site 'Won't get votes'

As politicians continue to meet farmers camped at Delhi's borders, BKU leer Rakesh Tikait on Sunday, said that he will t contest polls. He also told political parties to t come to protest sites seeking votes as it was t ir protest. Claiming that government was trying to misle farmers, Tikait said that farmers are rey to hold talks with Centre. 

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Tikait's political journey

Muzaffarnagar Jat farm leer has been at forefront of farm movement at  UP-Delhi borders. With dip in farmers' protest after 26 January violence and Red Fort incident, Tikait re-energised protest as he called for farmers to he to Ghazipur, while breaking down on camera saying, " I will commit suicide, but won't vacate protest site". His ardent plea evoked a massive response with thousands of farmers camping at Ghazipur. Tikait's call was in response to Yogi government's order to vacate Ghazipur protest site within 24 hours - cutting off water, electricity and internet.

Tikait has contested in 2007 UP Assembly elections from Khatauli seat with Congress support and  2014 Lok Sabha polls on a Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) ticket from Amroha - failing to win eir. Tikait's far - Mahendra Singh Tikait was a rekwn farm leer who did a 24-day gherao of Meerut Commissionerate for increasing official sugarcane price in 1987 and later a week-long rally of half-a-million farmers at New Delhi’s Boat Club lawns in October 1988. Tikait family is also close to RLD chief Chaudhary Ajit Singh and or Jat leers including Indian National Lok Dal’s Abhay Singh Chautala and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party’s Hanuman Beniwal - all of whom have thrown ir support behind Tikait.

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Politicians throng Ghazipur

farmers' protest has taken a definite political turn with Manish Sisodia visiting Singhu border and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh dressing Kisan Mahapanchayat at Muzaffarnagar. Moreover, several politicians like Abhay Singh Chautala, Chaudhary Ajit Singh, Sanjay Singh, Arvind Kejriwal spoke to Tikat after he broke down with Singh proclaiming, 'if Rakesh Tikait was arrested, we will get arrested with him'. AAP, which h opposed three Farm Laws in Parliament, has demanded its repeal and provided assistance to protesting farmers at Delhi borders with free wi-fi, medical aid, food and water. After UP government cut off electricity and water supply at Ghazipur - asking farmers to vacate, Delhi government provided m necessary amenities. Protests against Centre's three Farm Laws continue for 67th day.

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