Farm politics intensifies in west U.P. over India-U.S. deal

With India and the US weeks away from finalizing a trade deal, agricultural politics is intensifying again in western Uttar Pradesh. The Tikait faction of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) sought clarity on the impact of the agreement on Indian farmers. Seeing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government taking a U-turn on the farm laws, Khaps in the region are discussing the direct and indirect effects of the agreement. BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait described the agreement as a unilateral declaration by the US and threatened agitation. A panchayat meeting on this issue scheduled to be held on Sunday was put on hold due to Prime Minister Nardenra Modi’s visit to Meerut to inaugurate the last leg of the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.

Earlier this week, the BKU leadership roped in Rashtriya Lok Dal president and Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary to support the agreement. Speaking to media persons at BKU’s headquarters in Sisauli, Muzaffarnagar, chairman Naresh Tikait described Mr Chaudhary as the “wasp of the local sweet shop”. Speaking in Hindi, he said:Halwai ka tataiyaa halwai ko nahin kat sakta. Woh mithai par baith rahta hai (The candy maker’s wasp does not sting the candy maker. It lands on the candy.)

This statement created a stir in West UP as the RLD was seen as the political force behind the BKU during the agitation against the farm laws. Responding to the discussion, Mr Chaudhary shared what he wanted to say to X: “He didn’t like sweets.”

This month, Mr Chaudhary held two meetings in Hathras and Bulandshahr, where he said the agreement was beneficial for farmers. The Union Minister argued that Indian farmers were superior to those in the US and that the deal would not lead to a flood of foreign wheat, sugar or rice, thus protecting local farmers from losses.

In order to extinguish the fire, Mr Naresh’s brother Rakesh Tikait He released a video in which he said that RLD and BKU were together and blamed the media for the confusion. Mr Chaudhary said he did not like sweets, making it clear that he was not committed to the government’s point of view and would take action for the farmers’ cause if needed. “The media should ask him questions about the deal.” [Chaudhary] He paved the way for new speculations by saying “He will be the Minister of Agriculture.”

Also Read | Indian and US officials will begin a three-day meeting on February 23 to finalize the legal text of the interim trade agreement

‘Relieve concerns’

To talk Hindu, Mr. Rakesh said the Center cannot compete with the US in terms of subsidies given to farmers and hence they have asked the Prime Minister to address their concerns.

RLD sources said Mr Rakesh’s concerns were misplaced. “Farmer groups in Punjab and Haryana appear to be speaking at the behest of Leftist farmer unions for not protesting the agreement, which has proven beneficial for basmati rice farmers,” said a leader.

This article has been updated to correct a genuine error