Ex-MP Shetty warns of statewide stir if Kadu's demands go unheard

Time of India

a day ago

Nagpur / Amravati: After Manoj Jarange's massive protest for Maratha quota last year which became the focal point of Maharashtra politics, a new epicentre of 'agitation politics' is now emerging in Amravati where Prahar Janshakti Party chief Bacchu Kadu is on an indefinite hunger strike for agrarian issues.
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As well known faces start streaming in to meet Kadu at the protest site, many feel a political storm is quietly brewing ahead of the crucial local body polls in the state.
Just a day after Jarange met Kadu to extend his support, on Thursday NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar drove down to Amravati to declare his party's support. And Pawar was not alone. Well known farmer leader and former MP Raju Shetty also declared his backing for Kadu and warned of a statewide "chakka jam" if the govt did not take cognizance of farmer issues being raised by Kadu.
Thursday was the fifth day of Kadu's fast at Gurukunj Mozari town, around 35km from Amravati.
Shetty said, "The state govt is taking no action despite on an average eight farmers were committing suicide every day." He blamed wrong policies of the Centre for farmers not getting price for their produce.
Pawar, who went to Amravati along with ex-minister Anil Deshmukh's son Salil, said, "Kadu's agitation is for the benefit of farmers and that is why we are supporting it.
When we raise issues related to farmers, the govt simply mocks us. If the govt ignores Kadu's demands, then it will prove costly for the ruling alliance, because people have realized that Mahayuti has fooled them for votes as none of the promises were fulfilled.
" He added, though Kadu has started the agitation from Vidarbha, it will soon spread across the state. "The legislature session is starting by June end, and we will raise these issues there," said Pawar.
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Shetty, while talking about the specific issues being raised by Kadu, said, "The farmers were forced to sell soyabean below the assured price in open market this year because the govt gave rebate to industrialists on palm oil import. Had this not happened, farmers would have got good price to their soybean crop. But this govt cares only about industrialists."
"We have not raised any unreasonable demands. The govt should take cognizance of Kadu's agitation and take farmers' issues in the right earnest.
If the state govt does not respond to the demands and take a concrete decision by June 14, no one will be allowed to move in the state," Shetty warned.
He also criticized CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Ajit Pawar, saying, "The Mahayuti govt had promised complete farm loan waiver before assembly polls. But what happened next?"
"Ajit Pawar claimed the state is not in the pink of financial health. But it was Pawar who had ordered a collector to change his vehicle when its air-conditioner developed snag during his Kolhapur tour, baring his spendthrift ways."
Shetty chided the govt for prioritizing bullet train project than granting farm loan waiver.
Shetty also targeted Amravati guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule saying, "Bawankule takes a helicopter to attend the birthday of a sand mafia, but has no gumption to meet Kadu who has been agitating since Sunday over farmers' issues."