UP election 2022: Amit Shah meets Jat leaders. Farm law anger pacified?

With elections in Uttar Pradesh just around the corner, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah met leaders of the Jat community.

The meeting was held on January 26 at the house of a BJP MP from Delhi, Parvesh Verma. Union minister Sanjeev Balyan and state minister Bhupendra Chaubey were also reportedly part of the meeting.

ALSO WATCH | 'Where's mask?' ask netizens as Amit Shah campaigns in UP

Jats are considered an influential group in western Uttar Pradesh. Many of them also supported the recent year-long farmer protest at the gates of Delhi which culminated in the Narendra Modi government being forced to repeal three controversial farm laws.

Thus the BJP is reaching out to the community, especially with the Opposition trying to capitalise on the farm law anger.

At the meeting, Amit Shah reportedly compared BJP to the Jat community, saying that both work for others instead of themselves. Shah reportedly said that like the Jats, BJP thinks of farmers' interest and national security.

The participants in the meeting reportedly sought Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh, reservation for the Jat community, and proportionate representation in government.

Interestingly, the Opposition Samajwadi Party has allied with Charan Singh's grandson Jayant Chaudhary. After the meeting, the BJP reportedly said that its doors are open for Jayant's Rashtriya Lok Dal for an alliance. Chaudhary immediately rebuffed the invitation.

Uttar Pradesh will vote in 7 phases starting from February 10. Results will be announced a month later on March 10.