UP voters will favour those talking about farmers; Hindu-Muslim polarisation won't work: Tikait
Lucknow, Jan 29: Voters in Uttar Pradesh would favour only those talking about the welfare of farmers and polarisation on religious lines would not benefit those indulging in it, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has said.
He claimed farmers were going through "troubled times" in Uttar Pradesh as they were getting less value for their produce and forced to pay "exorbitant" electricity bills.
"The (election) issues are farmers, unemployed youth and inflation for the middle class. But efforts are being made to polarise Hindu-Muslim voters through regular statements on Jinnah and Pakistan. But, this will not work out for those doing it and will instead harm them," Tikait told PTI in an interview here on Friday.
He, however, did not name any party or individual.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has hit out at the Samajwadi Party and its president Akhilesh Yadav, calling them supporters of Pakistan and "worshippers of Jinnah".
Adityanath's remark ostensibly refers to the SP president's recent statements on Pakistan and its founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Asked if he would campaign against the BJP, the Bhartiya Kisan Union leader, who was a prominent face of the year-long stir against the three farm laws at Delhi borders, said he had no such plans.
"I am not a politician, I stay away from political parties. I only talk about the issues of farmers and urge people to question their leaders. I will continue to raise the issue of farmers, he said.
"In Uttar Pradesh, farmers are going through troubled times. Not only farmers here get less value for their produce, they are also forced to pay exorbitant rates of electricity," he added.
Refusing to predict the winner of the upcoming polls, Tikait claimed farmers were not happy with the present dispensation and this will reflect in the results.
"I cannot comment on where the election is headed or which party will come out victorious. However, the farmers I meet are not happy with the current state of affairs. What further troubles them is that their children have no avenues of employment. I think the farmers and locals will keep these things in mind when they vote," he said.
The politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh will witness seven-phase voting starting February 10. The results will be declared on March 10 along with other poll-bound states of Punjab, Uttrakhand, Goa, and Manipur.
Tikait also urged people to keep an eye on the activities of the district magistrates and superintendents of police during counting of votes in the state as "these officers may favour the government in power."
Asked how the BJP would perform in western Uttar Pradesh after the RLD-SP alliance, Tikait said, "I think voters will favour those who are not against farmers. They will support those who are not polarising Hindu and Muslim voters. People will favour those who talk about their issues and not only about Pakistan and Jinnah".
Tikait, who hails from Muzaffarnagar district of western UP, said he was pursuing the Lakhimpur Kheri case in which eight people, including four farmers, died on October 3.
The farmers were allegedly mowed down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers. The other four victims included two BJP workers, allegedly lynched by angry protesters.
Union minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish is the main accused in the case and is currently in jail.
"I have come to Lucknow to discuss some issues related to the case with senior officials. The local farmers and family members of the farmers killed in the violence have made it clear that justice will be done only after law will take its course against minister of state Ajay Mishra Teni. Police have not yet made him an accused in the case," Tikait said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
