Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan Reacts To Slogans Raised Against Him In Constituency, Calls It ‘A Conspiracy Of Dilli Netas'

Politics in Muzaffarnagar has taken a new turn amid the ongoing farmers' protests against the agricultural reform laws by the Centre.

A clash took place between villagers in Soram and supporters of Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan. The MP visited the village on Monday. Reportedly, villagers were injured in the clash, resulting in anger.

Bhainswal village and Soram village in the region saw villagers showing indications of being upset "with the BJP leader".

Reportedly, a few villagers were injured in the clash between the villagers and supporters of Balyan. The enraged villagers reached Shahpur police station of Muzzaffarnagar district to lodge an FIR against Balyan and his supporters. This led to another development.

Hundreds of villagers gathered at the Shahpur police station and held a panchayat.

Balyan was in Soram village with his supporters to attend a ‘Tehervi' (post-death ritual held on the 13th day of mourning). The villagers reportedly raised slogans “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”.

Local commentators in the media and reports say that Balyan has said that these people raising slogans in favour of the Rashtriya Lok Dal were supporters of the RLD and its leaders. RLD’s district president of Muzaffarnagar Ajit Rathi said that the minister was trying to divert the matter by falsely blaming the RLD.

RLD supremo Ajit Singh (defeated by Balyan in the Lok Sabha polls) reportedly visited Soram village — which is considered important from the Khap politics point of view.

He met villagers, visited their homes and met the women of the village. He spoke about his support for farmers and about how the Modi government was working against the benefit of farmers.

Balyan has said that he is an MP and he participates in the highs and lows of the people. He said that there was a conspiracy to show that he was opposed in his own constituency.

He said he has no political background and he doesn't come from a political family and has risen only due to his own hard work.

He also pointed out that people associated with the Samajwadi Party, too, raised slogans against him. He said that he was open to differences in opinion among political parties in the region, but unruly behaviour was against the spirit of democracy.

He repeatedly referred to certain politicians as "Dilli ke neta" — meaning — politicians whose power comes from and is limited to Delhi. He said that these politicians from Delhi "play tweet tweet".

Importantly, Balyan maintained that the farmer leaders had no hand in putting up banners against him. He said it was the handiwork of RLD and SP workers.

"We are from a disciplined party," he told Aaj Tak. He said that the big politicians wanting to show their 'concern' for the people of Soram have never visited the village during the time of need.

Assembly polls are scheduled in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Western UP seems to be moving towards a turn in politics surrounding jats with the farmers' protest in the backdrop.

RLD is getting the support of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.

Balyan has spoken about how and why he is different from "bigger netas". He said he was a "small neta" who works for people on the ground and it was perhaps this reason why people supported him and voted for him in the Lok Sabha polls.

A commentator has said that both Ajit Singh and Balyan are acting in a mature way and not letting the issues blow up. The Tikaits, too, are said to be taking careful steps in the matter.