Opposition parties in Maharashtra start ‘Sangharsh Yatra’ for farm loan waiver

Seven parties in the opposition have started a protest march to stand with the families of debt-ridden farmers who committed suicide in Maharashtra

Taking on the BJP-led state government over the demand of loan waiver for distressed farmers, the Opposition, comprising seven political parties, started a seven-day Sangharsh Yatra (Struggle March) on Wednesday. The Yatra started from Chandrapur district and will conclude at Panvel near Mumbai on April 4.

The leaders from all the seven parties, including legislators, will cover 1,500km as part of the yatra. It will pass through Vidarbha, Marathwada and Western Maharashtra, which has the highest number of farmer suicides. (HT)

The Opposition parties — Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party (SP), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), Republican Party (Kawade) and United Janata Dal — have collaborated for the first time to give the movement some impetus.

A convoy of vehicles started from Chandrapur to reach Padasgaon village, where the leaders will meet the family of Bandu Karkade, a debt-ridden farmer who committed suicide. The convoy will then start for Yavatmal district after meetings with farmers.

All senior leaders from the state unit of the Congress and NCP, along with senior leaders from other parties have joined the Yatra. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar are also likely to take part in it.

The leaders from all the seven parties, including legislators, will cover 1,500km as part of the yatra. It will pass through Vidarbha, Marathwada and Western Maharashtra, which has the highest number of farmer suicides.

READ MORE

Opposition readies to corner Maha govt over farm loan waiver

Mumbai: Demoralised and wary of defections, Opposition parties are trying to put up a fight