Farmers’ meets stir up buzz on Tikait’s political plans in Raj
KOTA: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait addressing a series of farmers’ meetings in Rajasthan has triggered talks on the possible impact of his mobilisations on state politics.
As part of his efforts to drum up support for the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws, Tikait has addressed six kisan mahapanchayats in the state and will speak at another six till March 23. He has organised more farmer mahapanchayats in Rajasthan than in other states, fuelling speculations among parties and analysts that he might be looking for political opportunity in the desert state.
“Political parties in the state are uncomfortable with the kisan mahapanchayats of Rakesh Tikait as farmers are joining his meetings cutting across castes and religions,” said CPM leader Amra Ram who is also joining the BKU leader in farmers’ meetings.
Tikait is mostly seen with Left leaders in the mahapanchayats. Farming communities, divided along caste lines, have different political affiliations in the state. Tikait and other farmer leaders are trying to unite farmers under one umbrella.
“For the time being, Tikait’s kisan mahapanchayats appear to be oriented towards strengthening the farmers’ movement. His nurturing of political ambitions in Rajasthan may be a distant possibility but not an immediate one,” said Sunny Sebastian, a senior journalist and political expert.
“Tikait’s kisan mahapanchayats might suit the Congress now as the party is also vociferously opposing the farm laws. But Tikait’s meetings will make the BJP and Hanuman Beniwal’s Rashtriya Loktantrik Party uncomfortable as both have farmer bases,” he said.
Another political expert, Prakash Bhandari, takes a different line. “Since Tikait cannot hold meetings in Delhi, he is organising kisan mahapanchayats in Rajasthan, where he is getting government support,” Bhandari said.
“Tikait will not have more impact in Rajasthan than Uttar Pradesh, his home state.”
The BJP maintains that Tikait is looking for political space for him in the state in the name of farmers’ movements.
State BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek said, “Tikait was discarded by people in Uttar Pradesh. Now he is trying his luck in Rajasthan, but people here will not accept him.”
Political mobilsations by Tikait may affect prospects of Beniwal’s RLP, which is also a farmer-based party banking on Jat votes.
Beniwal rules out any adverse impact of Tikait on his party’s prospects. “Our party
RLP is seriously supporting the farmers’ movement without looking for political benefits. The Congress or other people might be eyeing political benefits from the farmers’ movement,” he said.
“We have left the NDA in protest against the farm laws and are with farmers. Farmers’ support to our party will always remain in tact.”
The Congress does not consider Tikait’s mahapanchayats a threat. Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma said, “It is difficult to predict the impact of Rakesh Tikait on the politics of the state or other political parties, but the Congress will not be affected.”