‘If Tikait Succeeds, Hats Off To Him. If Not, We Will Take Over’

Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan leader V.M. Singh says the current leadership is digressing from core issues. Excerpts from an interview…

On pulling out of the stir

This is what I’d never asked for. Breaking barricades, entering the Red Fort and raising religious flags there...How did this happen, and who are the people who instigated the protestors to go to Red Fort? How could they gain access (to the ramparts)?

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On Rakesh Tikait

Everyone knows about Rakesh Tikait. He was the one who opp­osed the protests, he was tot­ally with the bills till November 27, 2020, when he joined the agitation at Delhi’s border. God bless him for all the attention he’s getting. But how he’s getting the eyeballs is apparent.

Contribution to farmers’ cause

This movement (for MSP) was started by me on October 20, 2000, that’s over 20 years ago. (Then UP) CM Ram Prakash Gupta was forced to quit and then Rajnath Singh assumed office. He agreed to buy all paddy under MSP. We withdrew the agitation.

Even during the current agitation, I had a meeting on October 27 with farmers from Punjab and had asked them to come to Delhi at that time on behalf of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee. I don’t know if I’m still the convenor, but at that time I was the convenor.

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On his focus

I’m in touch with leaders from all parts of UP. If the current struggle, led by leaders like Rakesh Tikait, is successful…hats off to him; if not, if we find something is amiss, then we will have to take over the mantle.

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‘If Tikait Succeeds, Hats Off To Him. If Not, We Will Take Over’

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