Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, whoseparty pulled out of ruling NDA over the contentious farm laws, on Sunday,visited the Ghazipur area near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border to lend hissupport to the ongoing farmers' agitation.
Prior to Badal's arrival, Bharat Kisan Union leaderRakesh Tikait announced that no politicians will be given the microphone tospeak on the main stage, claiming that he has received a notice for allowingpolitical leaders to take up the stage and address protesters in the last fewdays.
Badal met Tikait for ten minutes near the protest site,and assured support to the protesting farmers.
Tikait also added that "We will not compromise underpressure. Once our farmer brothers are released and things are streamlined, wewill talk to the government."
The Akali Dal, a long standing ally of the BJP, pulledout of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September last year over the farmBills, terming them 'black laws' and demanding their immediate withdrawal.
Besides Badal, prominent Punjabi singers Harsh Cheema andKarvinder Garwal also joined the protest to lend their support.
The agitation has entered the 67th day at thesecond-biggest protest site. The farmers, bearing the Indian flag, could beseen raising slogans of 'jai kisan, jai jawan' in the area. The crowd has alsoswelled up.
Various preventive measures have been put in place by thepolice and administration at the site, including suspension of internet,increased deployment of personnel and strict vigilance.