Vote for candidates who can defeat BJP nominees in LS polls: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait

Rakesh Tikait. Pic/PTI

On Thursday, farmer activist Rakesh Tikait urged voters to support candidates capable of ousting the incumbent BJP in the final two phases of the India General Elections 2024, which take place on May 25 and June 1. Tikait, the national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and a member of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), accused the BJP of being dominated by capitalists, reported PTI.

The India General Elections 2024 began on April 19, and five stages have been completed so far. Over 100 constituencies from ten states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chandigarh, will vote in the next phases of India General Elections 2024, the report added.

"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.

Tikait asked voters to support candidates capable of defeating the BJP, alleging, "This is not the BJP's government, but the government of a gang of capitalists." This gang has taken over the country and is contesting the election. Nobody is supporting them." He emphasised the need of strategically voting against the BJP.

He also warned against using the NOTA (none of the above) option on electronic voting machines, claiming that it indirectly favours the government.

"But pressing NOTA directly helps 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 said.

Instead, he urged voters to choose a viable candidate, saying, "This is a people's election, and people are fighting it, no matter what the outcome is."

Tikait stated that the SKM, which remains non-political, will continue to advocate for issues such as land acquisition, farm loan waivers, a legal guarantee on crop minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations, tribal rights, forest preservation, education, and healthcare.

He advised voters to be calm and patient, saying, "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."

With PTI Inputs