RLD's win in UP's Khatauli by-poll worrisome for BJP, say political pundits

A seemingly inconsequential Assembly by-election in the western Uttar Pradesh hinterland has put the simmering agenda of the farmers on the boil again in the predominantly sugarcane-rich region.

Recently, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the principal Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), trounced the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Khatauli Assembly by-poll in Muzaffarnagar district.

Since the RLD is a self-professed champion of issues related to farmers, agriculture, rural income, and the prosperity of agriculturists, the farm agenda will come into sharp focus ahead of the coming UP urban local body polls as well as the 2024