Adversity brings Tikait brothers — Naresh and Rakesh — closer

Lucknow, Jan 29 : Adversity often serves as an adhesive, as has been the case between the Tikait brothers.
Naresh Tikait, elder son of Mahendra Singh Tikait, heads the all powerful Baliyan Khap and Rakesh Tikait, the younger son, is the spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) which is spearheading the farmers’ protest.
Though Naresh Tikait has inherited his father’s legacy, it is Rakesh Tikait who has emerged as the more popular farmer leader.
Differences between the two are common knowledge even though they belong to the same outfit.
However, the developments that have taken place in the ongoing farmers’ agitation after the Republic Day violence, have apparently brought the brothers closer.
Rakesh Tikait, whose emotional outburst on Thursday night moved his supporters, also bridged the unspoken divide with his brother.