30,000 farmers hold anti-BJP rally in Maharashtra; Shiv Sena, MNS extend support

The protest march led by All India Kisan Sabha, which began on Tuesday, is expected to reach Mumbai on Sunday.

Mumbai: A protest march by 30,000 farmers against the failure of the BJP-led government to address agrarian distress, that started from Nashik, has reached Bhiwandi on Saturday.

According to ANI, the protest march led by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), which began on Tuesday, is expected to reach Mumbai on Sunday.

Thane: All India Kisan Sabha's protest march continues. Over 30,000 farmers are heading to Mumbai from Nashik, demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/2o8sybpCPZ — ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018

The protesting farmers plan to stage a protest outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on March 12, demanding fair remuneration and loan waiver.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has extended support to the farmers' 'long march' currently underway against the BJP government.

Ajit Nawale of the All India Kisan Sabha, which has organised the march, said that senior Sena leader and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde met protesting long march leaders when it entered neighbouring Thane earlier this morning.

Nawale said, "Shinde welcomed the protestors in Thane district and extended support to the demands of the farmers. 

He said that Shinde was conveying the message of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. 

Similarly, Abhijit Jadhav, an emissary of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, also met us and got me in touch with the MNS chief over phone. The MNS too has extended support to our demands," he added.

The march has been organised to protest the failures of the state BJP government on the farm front, including issues like farm loan waivers, remunerative prices for produce, non-implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission as well as the Forest Rights Act, he said.

Protesting farmers have demanded a change in the plan to link rivers in Nashik, Thane and Palghar to ensure that tribal lands are not submerged and water from the scheme be made available to these areas as well as other drought-prone districts, organisers said.

They said that farmers were also protesting against the state government's land acquisition for projects like high speed rail and super highways.

"We are demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to bollworm and pest attacks and rehauling of the public distribution system," he said.

Police said that traffic diversions and alternate routes had been set in place for motorists on the Eastern Express Highway through which the march will enter the city on Sunday.

The march will be attended by AIKS national president Ashok Dawale, CPM MLA J P Gavit, state president Kisan Gujar and working president Arjun Ade among others. 

(With Agency inputs)