Digvijay joins up agitation

Sugarcane continues to stoke political battles in Uttar Pradesh. Under fire over cane policy, the Congress on Wednesday launched a counter-offensive with senior leaders staging a sit-in at the cane commissioner’s office, demanding a hike in the price of cane.

Sugarcane continues to stoke political battles in Uttar Pradesh.

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Under fire over cane policy, the Congress on Wednesday launched a counter-offensive with senior leaders staging a sit-in at the cane commissioner’s office, demanding a hike in the price of cane.

A group of senior party leaders, led by general secretary Digvijay Singh, reached the office at 11.30 a.m. and joined farmers who had gathered to stage a dharna.

“We hope Chief Minister Mayawati will accept our demands. But if she takes a rigid stand, she will face the consequences,” Singh told the gathering.

A hike in the state advisory price (Rs 280 per quintal to growers) and merger of incentive or bonus with the price are among the farmers’ demands.