New Delhi/Ghaziabad: As the farmers' agitation demanding withdrawal of the agricultural laws and guarantee of minimum support price continues on the Delhi-Ghazipur border, farmer leaders are now preparing a strategy against the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh as well on the lines of Bengal.
In Bengal, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), farmer leaders had appealed to the people to vote against the BJP in the assembly elections by holding a mahapanchayat, the effect of which was seen in the results. Peasant leaders named it Mission Bengal. Now, on the lines of Mission Bengal, farmer leaders are going to start "Mission UP".
According to farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, Mission UP will start from Muzaffarnagar, which is dubbed the capital of farmers. Under the banner of SKM, a mahapanchayat will be organised September 5 at GIC Ground in Muzaffarnagar in which farmers from all states of the country will participate.
Also read: Farmers' agitation to remain apolitical; won't contest UP elections: Rakesh Tikait
As many as 40 farmers' organisations under SKM are currently working to make the mahapanchayat a success, it is learnt. Other farmers' organisations, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), are making efforts to make the mahapanchayat a success by going to villages and holding meetings and panchayats. Tikait is also on a tour of many states. Gaurav Tikait, son of BKU national president Naresh Tikait, and Charan Singh Tikait, son of Rakesh Tikait, are also on tour to villages.
Rajesh Singh Chouhan, national vice-president of BKU, said that the mahapanchayat of farmers to be held September 5 at GIC Ground in Muzaffarnagar will be the biggest mahapanchayat in the world till date. The objective of the mahapanchayat is to make the farmers aware about the problems that they are faced with. All the leaders of SKM will participate in the mahapanchayat. Farmers from all states of the country will participate and put forth their problems. Through the mahapanchayat, the farmers will show their power before the government.
Also read: UP to be the next stop for farmers' agitation: Tikait
Rajveer Singh Jadaun, Uttar Pradesh president of BKU, said that in-charges have already been appointed by the union in 18 mandals of the state. They are talking to the farmers and appealing to them to make the mahapanchayat a success. A district-wise review is being done ahead of the mahapanchayat. According to Jadaun, the farmers have become aware of their problems and are ready to move out of a large number of villages to Muzaffarnagar.
National secretary of BKU Anil Talan said that lakhs of farmers will participate in the SKM Mahapanchayat September 5. Office-bearers of various farmers' organisations from across the country are already reaching Muzaffarnagar.
