Lakhimpur:
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait referred to North Korea in his latest attacks on the ruling BJP during today’s Uttar Pradesh elections, saying voters must decide whether they want a “second Kim Jong-un”.
“People have to decide if they want a prime minister and prime minister who represent the masses or if they want a situation like (North Korea) – a second Kim Jong. We don’t want a dictatorial government in any state. We want to appeal to people to use their voices wisely,” said Mr Tikait.
The farmer’s leader routinely targets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election season.
Last week, he accused the BJP of conducting a polarizing campaign in Muzaffarnagar – his hometown – saying it is “not a stadium for Hindu-Muslim marches”.
“Western Uttar Pradesh wants to talk about development. Whoever talks about Hindu, Muslim, Jinnah and religion will lose votes. Muzaffarnagar is not a stadium for matches between Hindus and Muslims,” Mr Tikait tweeted.
He has also often said that farmers are more concerned about things like development and basic services such as electricity and water. “I think voters will favor those who are not against farmers. They will support those who do not polarize Hindu and Muslim voters. People will favor those who talk about their problems, not just Pakistan and Jinnah,” he had told PTI.
Mr Tikait was at the forefront of the 11-month peasant protest against three controversial agricultural laws on highways outside Delhi. The protest was called off after Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed the laws in November.
The anger of farmers in election states like UP and Punjab was seen as a big factor behind the Centre’s repeal of the laws.
However, Mr Tikait has also not explicitly expressed his support for the opposition Samajwadi Party-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, leading to speculation that he has gone soft on the BJP.