BJP reaches out to Jats in western UP; Union minister Sanjiv Balyan meets Naresh Tikait in Sisauli

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, January 17

Amid the ongoing strategising for the upcoming elections to five states, the BJP appears to be on the path to making amends with Jats and farmers by reaching out to their leaders.

Senior BJP leader from western UP, Union minister Sanjiv Balyan, on Monday met BKU president Naresh Tikait in Sisauli, his village.

According to BJP leaders, it was a courtesy call by Balyan, who belongs to the same khap as Tikait. “He went to enquire about the health and well-being of Naresh Tikait,” they said.

The BKU led by the Tikait brothers, Rakesh and Naresh, played a key role in the year-long agitation against the now repealed farm laws.

Meanwhile, senior leaders from the state and the Centre are also meeting in Delhi to decide on the remainingAssembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The party is also holding a meeting on Punjab to discuss seat-sharing with allies, Capt Amarinder Singh’s Punjab Lok Congress and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt), said sources.

The BJP is expected to contest on around 80 seats and allies on the remaining ones.

The candidates would be decided on the winnability factor, sources said.