Pune, Correspondent
Prahar Janshakti Party president and MLA Bachchu Kadu announced a boycott of the upcoming local self-government elections, citing the state government's failure to deliver on its promises of loan waivers for farmers. He also accused the government of dividing voters on the basis of caste and religion instead of addressing real issues.
Speaking at the Farmers’ Rights Conference held in Pune on Friday, Kadu declared that unless concrete action is taken on the long-pending demands of farmers, he and his supporters would stay away from the electoral process.
Also present at the conference were Raju Shetti, president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, MLAs Kailas Patil, Balasaheb Deshmukh, farmer leaders Ajit Navale and Anil Ghanwat, and journalist Ramesh Jadhav. Raju Shetti noted that a collective decision on Kadu's proposal would be taken in the next meeting, while Kadu clarified that his decision to boycott was personal but symbolic.
Kadu strongly criticized the ruling alliance, alleging that, “Instead of engaging in discussions on farmers’ issues, ruling parties are running divisive campaigns based on caste and religion. Young people are being misled and dragged into political games, while the real problems of farmers are ignored.”
He added, “This government promised loan waivers and minimum support prices for crops, but nothing concrete has been done. We are left with no choice but to take a stand and not participate in the current political process. The youth in rural areas are being used for votes, but it's the farmers who ultimately suffer.”
Kadu reminded the audience of his previous agitations for loan waivers at Raigad and Mozari, after which the government made assurances that have still not materialized. “This boycott is our Brahmastra our last-resort weapon to bring everyone together for the farmers' cause,” he said.
What Others Said:
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Raju Shetti, President, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana:
“The promises made by the MahaYuti government – clearing farmers’ loan records, and ensuring MSP have vanished into thin air. This conference was aimed at discussing a mass movement. All farmer organizations must come together to formulate a joint action plan to resolve these issues once and for all. A state-wide agitation will be announced, possibly including the election boycott.”
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MLA Kailas Patil:
“All political parties must set aside their alliances and unite for the farmers’ cause.”
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Ajit Navale, Farmer Leader:
“We must implement a common minimum program among all farmer organizations, demanding full loan waivers, a clean loan register (Satbara), and pro-farmer crop insurance schemes. These resolutions will be passed in the upcoming farmers’ convention.”
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