Talks with Maharashtra government inconclusive, farmers to continue march in Mumbai
Farmers in Maharashtra are back on streets with their demands and the talks with the Maharashtra government has been inconclusive, as now, they will be continuing their march from Nasik to Mumbai.
In last one year, this is the second time that farmers are embarking a protest march of 180 kms stretch from Nasik to Mumbai, as they feel that there has been a “betrayal” of peasants by the BJP in the state and centre as well.
The long march by farmers is being organized by the CPI(M) backed All India Kisan Sabha, which is expected to be completed in nine days. The AIKS has claimed that the march was scheduled to begin from Wednesday but police stopped the cavalcade of Kisan.
The AIKS president Ashok Dhawale, while detailing about the talks held with the government, said, “We held talks with the minister for over three hours. The government appeared positive to 80 per cent of our demands. The minister said he would speak to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis first.”
Dhawale has said that police will not stop us from beginning our march from Thursday, as they were also present during the meet. “The AIKS has decided to go ahead with the march beginning Thursday morning till the government does so.”
The AIKS has accused the BJP government of not fulfilling the proposed promise of minimum support price, farm loan waiver, irrigation facilities and pension to agriculturists. The organization is also against the bullet train project, which will run between Mumbai-Ahmedabad.
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First published: 21 February 2019, 13:13 IST