Farmers- Protest Planned in Maharashtra Over Loan Waiver Demands
Farmers- Farmers’ concerns over loan relief and agricultural policies took center stage as political leaders announced a statewide protest demanding immediate government action.
Farmers’ Rally Announced Over Loan Waiver and Agricultural Issues
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar has announced a large-scale “non-political” demonstration in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on June 29, demanding an unconditional farm loan waiver and raising several issues affecting the farming community. Addressing reporters in Jalna after meeting party workers and local leaders on Saturday, Pawar said the protest aims to highlight the hardships faced by farmers and press the Maharashtra government to take corrective measures.
He stated that the demonstration will begin at 10:30 am and may expand into stronger forms of protest if the government does not respond positively. According to Pawar, participants are prepared to organize road blockades, public gatherings, and even a Jail Bharo movement if their demands remain unaddressed.
Concerns Raised Over Loan Waiver Eligibility
During the press conference, Pawar questioned the conditions attached to the state’s farm loan waiver initiative. He argued that the eligibility rules are so restrictive that a majority of farmers may not receive any benefit from the scheme.
According to him, nearly 70 percent of eligible farmers could be excluded because of the existing criteria. He accused the government of creating policies that fail to address the financial difficulties faced by cultivators and said farmers deserve relief without complicated conditions.
Opposition Leaders Expected to Join Demonstration
Pawar said several senior opposition leaders are expected to participate in the June 29 protest. Among those likely to attend are NCP MP Supriya Sule, Maharashtra NCP president Shashikant Shinde, former minister Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, and farmer leader Ajit Navale.
He added that the event is intended to bring attention to agricultural concerns and encourage broader public support for farmers’ demands.
Political Speculation Dismissed
Responding to recent discussions surrounding Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray travelling together on a flight, Pawar rejected suggestions of any political significance.
He remarked that the meeting may have been nothing more than a routine journey and said he did not believe any political negotiations had taken place during the flight.
BJP Targeted Over Political Strategy
Pawar also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that it has relied on caste-based politics for electoral gains. He further claimed that the party could attempt to encourage defections from the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party faction headed by Ajit Pawar in the future.
At the same time, he expressed confidence that Members of Parliament belonging to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP would remain united and would not switch political sides.
Corruption Allegations and Party Unity
The NCP leader also accused the state government of corruption while invoking religious issues. He alleged irregularities linked to projects associated with the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and claimed there had been financial wrongdoing worth nearly Rs 900 crore in Nashik.
When asked about speculation regarding a possible reunion between the two NCP factions, Pawar dismissed the reports, saying the matter was effectively settled after Ajit Pawar’s separation from the original party.
He concluded by stating that his visit to Jalna was focused entirely on reviewing preparations for the June 29 farmers’ march and strengthening coordination with party workers ahead of the protest.