The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait urged people to vote for candidates capable of defeating BJP nominees in the final two phases of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25 and June 1. The national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), accused a “gang of capitalists” of capturing the country and contesting the elections, rather than the BJP itself.
The Lok Sabha elections, which began on April 19, have completed five phases. More than 100 constituencies across 10 states and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chandigarh, will go to polls in the remaining phases.
“Two phases of polling are left. The SKM clearly says that you should vote for a candidate who can defeat the BJP. This is not the BJP’s government, but the government of a gang of capitalists. This gang has captured the country and is fighting the election. Nobody is supporting them,” Tikait said in a social media post.
He emphasized that this election is a direct contest between the Indian public and this capitalist gang. Tikait advised voters to choose candidates who can defeat BJP nominees in their areas, noting that misleading phone calls discussing candidates had been reported.
“We do not have any personal issue with anyone specifically. This is what the SKM has to say. Whether it is Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, or the rest of the country, the Morcha has given this guideline that vote for a candidate who can defeat the BJP nominee,” Tikait stated.
Tikait reiterated that the SKM remains non-political and distances itself from elections. He cautioned against using the NOTA (none of the above) option on electronic voting machines (EVMs) as it indirectly benefits the government. “Do not press NOTA, vote for your candidate, do not be discouraged. This is a people’s election and people are fighting this election, whatever the result may be. We should be ready for struggle,” he advised.
Tikait asserted that regardless of which party forms the government, the SKM will continue to push for issues such as land acquisition, farm-loan waivers, a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, the implementation of the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations, tribals’ rights, forest preservation, and improvements in education and healthcare facilities.
“The way a calm sea does not reflect how deep it is, people should also fight this election in a calm manner. Calmness does not mean that the people’s anger has ended. Stay patient, hopeful. The people will win,” Tikait concluded.