Kisan Union leader Tikait arrested before his surrender in court(lead: Tikait)

Muzaffarnagar (UP), Apr 2 : Uttar Pradesh Police today arrested Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Mahendra Singh Tikait in connection with the case of his alleged casteist remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

His arrest took place immediately after news spread that he was planning to surrender in a Bijnore court.

Now, the farmer leader will be produced before the Bijnore court, where the cases against him are registered.

Supporters of Tikait demanded withdrawal of all the cases against him and other BKU leaders registered in Sisauli. They also asked the State Government not to oppose his bail plea.

On Tuesday, Tikait had announced he would not surrender as his supporters did not want him to do so.

However, Tikait had showed signs of softening his stand by describing Mayawati as his daughter and expressing willingness to withdraw his controversial remarks against her if she wanted him to.

Earlier, On Sunday he had allegedly made derogatory reference against Mayawati at a farmers' rally in Bijnore District.

The rally was organised by the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader, Swami Omvesh. Following the alleged casteist remark, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters went on the rampage. Thereafter, an FIR was lodged against the BKU leader at a police station.

Tikait's sons Rakesh Tikait and Surendra Tikait have already been arrested.

ANI