Especially so as the mahapanchayat passed a resolution threatening to boycott the BJP in the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. BJP-ruled Rajasthan has been the epicentre of the agitation and the state government the main target of the Gujjar anger.
Yadav, who addressed the mahapanchayat, said he would raise the issue in Parliament's monsoon session. "The death of so many innocent people (in police firing) is unfortunate," he said. He said he would ask the Centre and the state government to resolve the matter peacefully.
Yadav's presence is significant as the JD(U)-BJP have had a long relationship, which of late has been under stress. The BJP did not give the JD(U) any seat in recent Karnataka elections. The two parties are in government together in Bihar.
The mahapanchayat was organised under the Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Sangharsh Samiti. A programme of protests, including a nationwide bandh and a march to Rajasthan, was announced at the meeting. The bandh date will be announced in the next five days.
Meanwhile, Gujjar leaders have agreed to talks with the Rajasthan government after Raje's invitation to KS Bhainsla, who is leading the agitation.
The letter was sent through Principal Secretary SN Thanvi. The Gujjar leader has demanded that the talks take place in Pilupura.
