It seems like the pre-Lok Sabha election 'festive' has begun. At one place, PM Modi officially inaugurated the Ayodhya Ram Temple, on another Rahul Gandhi is carrying out the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Now, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait has also jumped onto the scene as he has announced a tractor rally and has also called for Bharat Bandh in February. On the call of Rakesh Tikait, multiple farmer organizations are likely to lock horns with the central government.
Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, has called for Bharat Bandh on 16 February 2024. On Wednesday, Tikait said that Bharat Bandh has been called on 16th February 2024, in which many other organizations along with the United Kisan Morcha are involved. The farmer leader further said, "I appeal to all the farmers not to work in the fields for a day on 16th February.
"We have also requested to keep the shops closed. Issues like MSP, unemployment, Agniveer, pension etc. will be raised in this demonstration. This protest is against anti-labor, anti-farmer, and anti-national policies," Tikait added appealing to the transporters to observe the Bandh for a day and other organizations to also support it.
Earlier, a joint platform of trade unions and farmer organizations had issued a statement and announced Bharat Bandh on 16 February. These organizations have demanded a guarantee of crop purchase on MSP, dismissal of Ajay Mishra Teni and filing of a case against him, loan waiver of small and medium farmer families, and a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month for workers.