BKU split: Senior leader splits with Tikait brothers to launch ‘apolitical’ farmer outfit

On the death anniversary of its founder president Mahendra Singh Tikait on Sunday, schisms within the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) were exposed, with a prominent national office-bearer announcing the foundation of a breakaway group here.

Rajesh Chauhan, vice-president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, said he made the choice after being “insulted” and accused the organization of siding with political parties in elections, a clear allusion to this year’s UP Assembly elections.

According to Chauhan, his organization will be called the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Arajnaitik). In Hindi, “arajnaitik” means “apolitical.” According to Harinaam Singh, a senior office-bearer of the new group, Chauhan declared the foundation of the outfit in Lucknow on the death anniversary of farmer activist Mahendra Singh Tikait.