E-Paper
Tikait all set to surrender
Amidst mounting tension, Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Mahendra Singh Tikait was all set to surrender in Sisauli in the case of his alleged casteist remarks against UP CM Mayawati.
Amidst mounting tension, Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Mahendra Singh Tikait was all set to surrender in Sisauli in the case of his alleged casteist remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.
A panchayat of village leaders, which began early this morning to discuss the issue, put forward various demands in return for Tikait's surrender, even as the district administration constantly delayed the operation for his arrest throughout the night.
According to the panchayat's decision, Tikait would surrender in Muzaffarnagar without police employing any use of force. From there, he will go to Bijnaur court where the cases against him are registered.
Meanwhile, supporters of Tikait demanded withdrawal of all the cases against him and other BKU leaders registered in Sisauli, and asked state government not to oppose his bail plea after his arrest.
Senior government officials had been reportedly in touch with Tikait overnight to persuade him to surrender. Many leaders from political parties like Congress and RLD were also present alongside Tikait at the time of panchayat meet.
On Tuesday, Tikait had announced he would not surrender as his supporters did not want him to do so.
However, the farmers' leader had showed signs of softening his stand by describing Mayawati as his daughter and expressing willingness to withdraw his controversial remarks against her if she wanted him to.
