Rakesh Tikait questions Vice President Dhankhar’s resignation, alleges government pressure
New Delhi: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson and prominent farmers’ rights activist Rakesh Tikait has alleged that Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation was not merely due to health issues, but was the result of mounting political pressure from within the ruling government.
Speaking to News Tak, Tikait accused the central leadership of systematically targeting those who raise concerns about farmers' issues.
Commenting on the resignation, Tikait said, “Who resigns without reason? Only someone who is under pressure. A real person wouldn’t resign so easily, he would rather suffer in silence than step down. This resignation wasn’t voluntary. The government must have forced him.” He suggested that Dhankhar, being a son of a farmer, was possibly sidelined for speaking in favour of farmers, a stance that the government allegedly does not support.
“There will be many more like Satpal Malik. Many will become like Dhankar Sahab. Anyone who talks about farmers is made to resign or is defamed. If someone raises issues of land and crops, they are pushed out,” he said. He further added that the current government, which he labelled as being pro-trader and pro-industrialist, was not aligned with the interests of farming communities. “This party is for big businessmen. They want to take away the farmers’ land. If Dhankhar had continued to speak on such matters, they wouldn’t have allowed him to remain in the Vice President’s seat.”
He also criticised the government's alleged use of investigation agencies to suppress dissent. “If someone becomes like Satpal Malik, their ED will be set loose on them. Even if they’re dying, the government will find a way to bring them back and cover everything up,” he said.
Tikait expressed concern about how farmers and Jat leaders are being treated. Referring to Samajwadi Party MP Harendra Malik’s remarks, he said, “Every Jat works for the honour of farmers, but they never receive that respect. First, they are provoked, then they are defamed in society. That’s the pattern.”
He also claimed that the current leadership wants to weaken entire communities by removing their representatives. “This government doesn’t want leaders from any community; they only want the people. They’ve removed their own and sidelined them. Now they’re working only on the voters, not their voices.”
Tikait warned that democracy itself is at risk, calling the government’s approach increasingly authoritarian. “This is not a democracy anymore, it’s a dictatorship. They won’t speak, but you never know whom they’ll act against. The Supreme Court has to remain alert if the country is to be saved. If we don’t use our rights and make sacrifices, this government will sweep everyone away, even the protesters.”
When asked who might be chosen to succeed Dhankhar, Tikait responded, “Nobody knows who will get that position. The ones whose names are discussed publicly usually don’t get it. This government can bring down anyone by making their names trend, and then they ‘fix’ it. That’s how they work.”
Furthermore Tikait remarked, “Those below 50 years of age may become the next Dushyant Chautala. Those above 50, they’ll become like Satpal Malik, respected but excluded. There’s a long list of such people. But why name them?”
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Bengal elections: Bhangar tense during polling, ISF claims voters, agents threatened
Kolkata (PTI): Tension gripped South 24 Parganas' Bhangar and its adjoining areas during the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accusing TMC of trying to intimidate polling agents and influence voters.
NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal, where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.
On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, in Bhangar. Later, on a directive by the Union Home Ministry, the NIA registered a case to probe the recovery of 79 crude bombs in the state.
Trouble was reported from several pockets of Bhangar and Canning Purba constituency since morning, prompting heavy deployment of central forces, state police and NIA teams in sensitive areas.
At Hedia in Canning Purba constituency, the ISF alleged that one of its polling agents received death threats from TMC supporters.
ISF candidate Arabul Islam rushed to the spot after receiving the complaint and accused the administration of failing to ensure a fair election.
"Votes are being looted in Canning Purba. Our agents in booths are being driven out of several booths after snatching their cards and documents," he alleged.
Since morning, Islam was seen visiting booths and asking security personnel to clear gatherings within 100 metres of polling stations, while also assisting ISF polling agents in entering booths.
ISF chairman and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui also alleged that party workers and agents were being intimidated by ruling party supporters, but claimed that the overall atmosphere in Bhangar was comparatively peaceful compared to previous elections.
The fresh allegations and tension came a day after several areas of Bhangar, including Kochpukur and Joypur under Bhangar-II block, witnessed clashes between TMC and ISF supporters.
ISF supporters alleged that workers of the ruling party roamed through neighbourhoods on Tuesday night and threatened locals. When ISF workers protested, clashes broke out, leaving at least four of their compatriots, including a woman, injured.
Later, Siddiqui said, "The people of Bhangar are finally exercising their democratic rights. Earlier, bombs, bullets and pistols decided elections here. This time, people are choosing ballots and voting with a smile."
He alleged that "political dealers" and local goons loyal to TMC leader and Bhangar candidate Saukat Molla were trying to provoke ISF workers and create tension in certain areas.
"Agents are being threatened and prevented from functioning freely. We repeatedly informed the administration, but police are acting in favour of the ruling party and not cooperating," Siddiqui alleged.
Later in the day, the ISF leader also claimed that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise freely during the 2023 panchayat polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the situation has improved this time, he said.
The TMC denied the allegations and accused the ISF of trying to create unrest in the constituency to influence polling.
Security was significantly tightened in Bhangar, where, apart from state police and central forces, a special team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also deployed to monitor sensitive pockets.
