Mahendra Singh Tikait, well-known farmer leader and president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, died on Sunday after a protracted illness. Tikait was 76 and had been suffering from bone cancer since the past one year. He is survived by four sons and two daughters.
The cremation will take place on Monday in his village Sisauli in Muzaffarnagar district. Born in 1935, Tikait was one of the most powerful farmer leaders in northern India after Choudhury Charan Singh. He led a number of mass farmer movements against the state and Central government to support the rights of the farmers.
Tikait, who also served as head of the Baliyan Khap, wielded considerable influence over farmers in western UP and his maha panchayats that often went on for days, were a much dreaded event for the local administration.
Though the farmer leader had been almost bed-ridden since the past one year, he continued to take active interest in issues related to farmers.
UP chief minister Mayawati has condoled the death of Tikait. In a statement issued here on Sunday, the chief minister said Tikait was a popular farmer leader who absence will be deeply felt by his colleagues.
Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav also termed Tikait as a leader par excellence and a true friend of farmers. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.