BKU splits: Rakesh Tikait says Rajesh Chauhan formed ‘apolitical’ outfit at govt’s behest

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), which spearheaded the year-very long farmers’ protest from the now-repealed farm guidelines, on Sunday witnessed a break up as a segment of its leaders floated a independent outfit — BKU (Apolitical) — led by Rajesh Singh Chauhan. Fissures in just the farmers’ union came out in the open on the loss of life anniversary of its founder president Mahendra Singh Tikait. 

Chauhan claimed he took the decision right after becoming “insulted” and alleged that the outfit sided with political get-togethers in the elections, an obvious reference to this year’s UP Assembly polls. His outfit will be referred to as the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Arajnaitik), Chauhan explained “Arajnaitik” signifies apolitical in Hindi.

The leaders of BKU (Apolitical) alleged that they have been upset with the “political” statements designed by Tikait throughout the farm regulations protests and the modern Assembly polls in UP. 

In the meantime, the BKU expelled Chauhan and six other workplace-bearers for anti-outfit actions.

Reacting to the development of the new outfit, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait in Bulandshahr alleged,”Those who have remaining the organisation have done so on the behest of the federal government. This will not impact us and the BKU will expand stronger.” Tikait also attacked the central federal government for “trying to divide farmers”.

Previously in the working day, a senior office-bearer of the new outfit, Harinaam Verma, informed PTI that Chauhan announced the formation of the outfit in Lucknow on the death anniversary of farmer leader Mahendra Singh Tikait.

“Chauhan will be heading the BKU (A),” he reported.

Speaking at an occasion listed here, Chauhan alleged that he from time to time tried to set forward his feeling but was disregarded.

Senior BKU leaders Naresh Tikait and Rakesh Tikait “neither hear to personnel nor shell out any focus to troubles of farmers”, he alleged.

“They have obtained into negative enterprise and insulted us in a person or the other way. I wholeheartedly supported Naresh Tikait and Rakesh Tikait but when the elections arrived, they deviated from the great of Mahendra Singh Tikait,” Chauhan alleged.

“They ventured into political mess and experienced produced this organisation a puppet in the hands of political get-togethers. I was incredibly saddened and pained by this,” Chauhan said.

“Rakesh Tikait was motivated by political get-togethers. He campaigned for one party whilst opposed the other bash,” Chauhan stated but did not name any political occasion. About the BKU (A), Chauhan claimed he only abided by the decision of employees and farmers. Chauhan also cleared that he fashioned the new organisation and has not proven doors to Naresh Tikait and Rakesh Tikait as proven in selected sections of the media. “They (Tikait brothers) belong to the BKU while my organisation is BKU(A). This is a new organisation and we do not want any controversy,” Chauhan said.

Meanwhile, the BKU expelled Chauhan and six some others, in accordance to a press launch. The 6 other people expelled are Anil Talan, Mangeram Tyagi, Digamber Singh, Dharmendra Malik, Rajbir Singh and Harinaam Verma.

Mahendra Singh Tikait was an influential farmer chief in western Uttar Pradesh.

He was born on Oct 6, 1935 at Sisauli village in Muzaffarnagar district and was the founder president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union.

He died in Muzaffarnagar on May 15, 2011 at the age of 75. The BKU was established in 1987 and its existing president is Naresh Tikait.