New Delhi: A conglomerate of farmers’ groups on January 31 asserted that political leaders are only allowed to “sit with the protesters” not share the stage.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (united farmers’ movement) clarified this amid questions about the farmers’ stance on sharing stage with political leaders. With the government repeatedly linking the movement with opposition politics, the farmers had made it a point not to allow political leaders near their rally.

The morcha also signaled its disapproval of farmer leader Rakesh Tikait’s meeting with some politicians.

Asked about the meeting, the Morcha leader and a representative of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda), Buta Singh Burjgill, told reporters, “If politicians address from the stage, then it is violation of our orders. Politicians can come and sit with the protesters”.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait broke down in full view of television cameras as the Uttar Pradesh government made an effort to push put farmers from the border with Delhi at Ghazipur.

Videos of his emotional assertion that he would “face bullets” but not budge from the site — termed a turnaround moment in the protest — drummed up a huge support for the protest, which many had condemned after the violence at the tractor rally on Republic Day.

Thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh started moving towards Ghazipur and on their heels, came the opposition leaders.

With just a year to go for the state elections in Uttar Pradesh, opposition leaders from across party lines — Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejaswi Yadav, Rashtriya Lok Dal’s Ajit Singh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other political leaders dialled Tikait.

Among the first to come was Jayant Chaudhary, grandson of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu, Delhi Congress leader Alka Lamba and Congress MP from Haryana, Deepender Singh Hooda were on the list as well.

Tikait said that the farmers will honor the dignity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said on January 30 that the government’s offer to suspend the contentions farm laws for 18 months and conducting negotiations, still stands.

But he made it clear that he was also committed to protecting the farmers’ self-respect.

“We will honor and respect the dignity of prime minister. Farmers don’t want that the government or Parliament bows down to them,” Tikait said in an interview with Press Trust of India news agency. “We will also ensure that the self-respect of farmers is protected. A middle way should be found. Talks should be held,” he added.

Source: ndtv.com