Rakesh Tikait's Subtle Hint To Voters For Haryana Bypoll, With Disclaimer

Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Chautala, who stepped down as MLA in support of the farmers' protest, is now contesting the bypolls.

Hinting that farmers may back the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate in the October 30 bypoll in Haryana's Ellenabad, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait today warned against the BJP using money power to sway voters.

However, Mr Tikait stopped short of openly supporting any side and clarified that he is not backing a candidate.

Addressing a gathering of farmers in Ellenabad, Mr Tikait said, "This area is a Panchayati area and nobody lies in the Panchayat. If a person left his bag with you six months ago and has come back to ask for it, give it to him. Someone went to Canada, his family stayed there, he kept a bag in the gurdwara three years ago. It's his bag, you don't need to open and search his things, you give it back, add something more to it," he said.

The remarks are being seen as a veiled advice to back INLD leader Abhay Chautala, who stepped down as MLA in support of the farmers' protest against the centre's farm laws and is now contesting the bypolls.