Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar has agreed to support the farmers’ agitation in Maharashtra and participate in their protests in September, said Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana chief Raju Shetti, who met the CM in Patna on Saturday.
Shetti, an ally of the BJP who will lead a national protest on farmers’ issues from Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh to Champaran in Bihar from July 7, met Kumar to seek support for the protest.
“Kumar will participate in the protest in September. His presence is significant as he has been implementing farmer-friendly schemes in his state. There is not a single farmer suicide in Bihar since Nitishji took over,” said JD(U)’s Maharashtra chief Kapil Patil, who was present at the meeting.
“During our meeting, Nitishji stressed the need for implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, including minimum support price for farm produce. He said the central government should bear the cost of production if it wants to bring farmers out of distress,” said Patil.
Shetti was one of the key leaders who led recent protests for loan waiver in Maharashtra.
{{/usCountry}}Shetti was one of the key leaders who led recent protests for loan waiver in Maharashtra.
{{/usCountry}}He was part of the steering committee which has been deliberating with the government on the issue of loan waiver.
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Kumar will participate in the protest in September. His presence is significant as he has been implementing farmer-friendly schemes in his state. There is not a single farmer suicide in Bihar since Nitishji took over.
— Kapil Patil, JD(U) Maharashtra unit chief