The litmus test of the movement: The political trend of the farmer leaders also came to the fore in the Ellenabad by-election, the INLD and Chadhuni were seen sitting in favor of the Congress.

The whole country was watching the results of the by-elections held in the Ellenabad assembly seat of Haryana amid the farmers’ agitation. The by-election is being seen as a litmus test for the farmers’ movement. At the same time, this election has also exposed the political trends of two big farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Chadni involved in the movement. There have been constant reports of political differences between the two. While Tikait INLD, Chadhuni was seen standing in favor of Congress.

Rakesh Tikait, while addressing the public meeting on the evening of the end of the Ellenabad by-election campaign, said that he had taken the bag, now return the tax. His gesture was directly towards Abhay Chautala of INLD. INLD also publicized Rakesh Tikait’s statement by issuing a release and tried to take full advantage of this statement. On the other hand, Gurnam Singh Chaduni issued a video message appealing not to vote for BJP. His Congress love has come to the fore many times.

Farmer leaders are now doing politics

According to political critic Virendra Singh, farmer leaders are now doing politics. The Ellenabad by-election has emerged as an example of this. Gurnam Singh Chadhuni has been constantly talking about being active in politics. He has also talked about contesting the Punjab Assembly elections. He has also been suspended from the United Kisan Morcha on this demand of Chaduni. Even after the suspension, he stuck to his demand. He also talked about fielding candidates in the Ellenabad by-election.

Farmer leaders Gurnam Chadhuni and Rakesh Tikait

differences that emerged

Differences between Gurnam Chadhuni and Rakesh Tikait have been seen before. Even before this, when Chaduni farmers were doing Panchayat in Haryana, an attempt was made to remove Rakesh Tikait. But being from the Jat community, Tikait has a good hold in Jat-dominated Haryana. That’s why Ticket often beats Chadhuni. On the other hand, Rakesh Tikait calls himself a non-political. Nevertheless, the manner in which he made an open statement in favor of the INLD is indicative of his lengthy political equation-making. Om Prakash Chautala is talking on the third front and this is also one of the reasons behind Rakesh Tikait’s support to INLD. With this effort of Tikait, this thing seems to be getting stronger. At the same time, the relationship between Jat and non-Jat is also coming to the fore at one level.

Strategy is not right for movement

If we look at the politics of Haryana by dividing it like this, the change that the farmer leaders are talking about is not possible. According to political critic Virendra Singh, it cannot be considered good for the peasant movement either. It is true that INLD candidate Abhay Singh Chautala quit his post in protest against three agriculture laws. If the farmer leaders felt that they had to recognize the sacrifice of Abhay Chautala, they would have extended their support to Abhay Chautala on the very first day itself. The strategy of the peasant leaders by taking two steps forward and four steps back cannot be considered right for their movement. However, during the Ellenabad by-election, the political differences between the farmer leader Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Chaduni were clearly visible. In future, this political vision of his can have a deep impact on the politics of Haryana and the farmers’ movement.

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