Litmus test of movement: Ellenabad by-elections also brought to the fore the political trend of farmer leaders, Tikait INLD and Chadhuni were seen sitting in favor of Congress

In the midst of the farmers’ agitation, the entire nation was watching the results of the by-elections in the Ellenabad assembly seat of Haryana. The by-election is being seen as the litmus test of the farmers’ movement. At the same time, this election has also brought to the fore the political trends of two big farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Chadni involved in the movement. There have been constant speculations 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 gone with a 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. At the same time, Gurnam Singh Chaduni issued a video message appealing not to vote for the 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 spoken about contesting the Punjab Assembly elections. On this demand of Chaduni, he has also been suspended from United Kisan Morcha. Even after the suspension, he remained firm on his demand. He had also talked about fielding a candidate in the Ellenabad by-election.

Farmer leaders Gurnam Chadhuni and Rakesh Tikait

differences that have come to the fore

The differences between Gurnam Chadhuni and Rakesh Tikait have been seen in the past. Even before this, when Chaduni Kisan was doing Panchayat in Haryana, an attempt was made to shun Rakesh Tikait. But being from Jat fraternity, Tikait’s hold is very good in Jat dominated Haryana. That’s why tikat often outweighs Chadhuni. At the same time, Rakesh Tikait calls himself a non-political. Nevertheless, the way he gave an open statement in favor of INLD is a sign of his making long political equations. 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 point seems to be getting stronger. At the same time, the connection of 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, then the change that the farmer leaders are talking about is not possible. According to the political critic Virendra Singh, this 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 have to recognize the sacrifice of Abhay Chautala, they would have given 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 Haryana’s politics and farmers’ movement.