Nashik, Kolhapur, Pune: The opposition and several farmers' outfits turned Tuesday into a day of protests against the fuel price hike and low returns on agricultural produce in Maharashtra. Districts including Nashik, Solapur, Pune, Nagpur, and others witnessed rasta roko and other agitations by the opposition.
Mahayuti Claims Protests Are Political
The ruling Mahayuti members said the protests were political. They claimed that when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was in power, it did not make decisions favorable to farmers and is now trying to project the alliance as supporters of farmers.
MVA Members Join Protests
MVA members participated in various protests across the state. They alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with both Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, are spending more time on deciding candidates for the MLC elections rather than taking steps to provide relief to the people.
On Tuesday, MVA members held a sit-in agitation on the Mumbai-Agra Highway at Nashik's Chandwad. Police detained some protesters, including state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve, and others, to clear the highway.
Farmers Demand Higher Onion Prices
Speaking at the protest site, Rohit Pawar said that onion farmers have suffered huge losses over the past few months due to falling market prices, but the government has done little to help them. "After we protested at Lasalgaon on May 18, the Centre raised the procurement rate to Rs 15 per kg, but the hike is inadequate," he added.
Rohit said the opposition will resume its agitation if the remunerative price of Rs 2,400 per quintal is not ensured by the government. Protesters blocked the highway for nearly two hours, causing vehicles to wait on either side. Attempts were made to deflate the tyres of vehicles, after which police detained some protesters, including the MVA members.
Fadnavis Responds
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the protest political and claimed that MVA members participated in it for a photo opportunity. "The Centre decided on Rs 15 per kg rate for onion, which earlier governments never offered. They are only interested in politicizing the issue. We understand that more steps are needed for farmers, and therefore, the state government will meet with the Centre on Wednesday for long-term solutions," Fadnavis said.
Protests in Solapur and Pune
A similar protest was held in Solapur, where farmers and Congress members led by MP Praniti Shinde staged a sit-in agitation on the Pune-Solapur-Hyderabad highway. Praniti criticized the Centre, claiming that its failed policies are adding to the people's burden.
"People are suffering because of PM Modi's policies. If India had not listened to Trump, we would not have faced this situation," Shinde added.
Fuel Price Hike Protested
The opposition also raised the fuel price hike through protests. Members from the Pune unit of the Congress traveled in horse and bullock carts to the collectorate. Newly elected city unit president Prashant Jagtap said, "The BJP formed government promising 'achche din,' but in reality, its government has taken decisions adding to people's burden. The government's focus is to win elections, but it is not interested in providing any relief to the people."
