BKU denies media report on participation in U.P. polls
The Hindu
Organisation apolitical but goal is to uproot the ruling arrogant government, it says
The Bhartiya Kisan Union on Sunday denied media reports that suggested the organisation could participate in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. “The report published in a leading Hindi newspaper was misleading and mischievous,” said Dharmendra Malik, media in-charge, BKU. He said BKU president Naresh Tikait has repeatedly said the outfit was apolitical and would continue to be so. Addressing a panchayat in Sisauli village of Muzaffarnagar on Saturday, Mr Tikait said, “The Congress was also keen on bringing the farm laws we are protesting against. However, at present, our goal should be to uproot the ruling arrogant government which has not been listening to us for the last eight months.” Mr Tikait said the organisation didn’t appeal to vote for any particular party but farmers should elect candidates who would resign from their parties and join the movement if farmers’ interests are not taken care of.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.