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Contrary to popular belief that he would infuse new life into the agitation of farmers, demanding higher compensation in lieu of their land acquired for building the Noida-Agra Yamuna Expressway, the arrival of Bharatiya Kisan Union supremo Mahendra Singh Tikait in Aligarh has failed to make any impact on the gradually waning demonstration.
Even as the news of Tikait's support to the agitation attracted impressive crowds on Friday at Tappal, the epicentre of the 3-week-old stir, Tikait could not infuse any fresh life into the agitation, which farmers were hoping to intensify with his support.
There is no doubt that the gathering of more than 15,000 farmers on Friday was totally attributable to Tikait, yet the strength in his voice to sway the aggressive farmers was missing.
Looking frail and weak, his feeble voice reflected the toll that age and illness had taken on his health.
Tikait, who arrived late in the afternoon, spoke for barely six minutes, urging farmers to continue with their agitation until their demand was fulfilled -- something they had already resolved to so after formation of a joint action committee of farmers converging from different districts through which the expressway would pass.
The 165 km expressway, which is expected to reduce the driving time between New Delhi and Agra to just about 90 minutes, will pass through Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Aligarh, Mahamaya Nagar (Hathras) and Mathura, and involves acquisition of land in 115 villages.
A total of 2,500 hectares of land were to be acquired for the development of the expressway -- 500 hectares each in Noida, Aligarh and Agra and 1,000 hectares in Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida).
"I am confident that the government will eventually concede your demand, which was absolutely legitimate; stick to your guns and the victory will be yours," he told the crowds in a beleaguered tone.
Urging the farmers to remain united, he said, "You must also not allow any construction activity to take place on any part of the Yamuna Expressway until your rightful compensation was paid to you."
Reiterating the unanimous demand of farmers drawn from different areas in Aligarh, Mathura, Agra and Bulandshahr, he declared, "I see no reason why the state government would not give you the compensation that it had given to your counterparts in Noida and Greater Noida."
Tikait's son, Rajesh who was also known for having taken his father's arrogant ways, chose not to address the gathering even as he accompanied him all the way from Muzaffarnagar.
Earlier in the day, Congressmen, led by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Digvijay Singh visited the site of the 'dharna' at Tappal to reassure farmers of the party's full support to their cause.
"I am going to speak to the prime minister and we hope to find a permanent solution to the issue of adequate compensation for land acquired for public purposes" Singh told the gathering.