This means that all other parties have willingly ceded the emotive Dalit issue to the BSP. They will be content to tussle for the Jat vote—numerically around than 10 per cent lesser than the Dalit vote in western UP, the resources and muscle power of the Jats notwithstanding. The benefit, however, may go to the RLD alone.

Almost two decades ago, Tikait’s clout was undeniable. That was a time when he could mobilise lakhs of farmers against the authorities. He amply demonstrated his power during the dharna at the Karmu Kheri power station in 1987 over a hike power rates, in the gherao of the Meerut Commissionariat in 1988, the Rajabpur Satyagraha in 1988 in Moradabad district or the massive dharna at Boat Club in Delhi in October 1988. Today, his diminished stature was underlined by his uncharacteristic surrender to the police.