Pune: The state government on Saturday expressed willingness to hold talks with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who has been on a hunger strike in Pandharpur since Friday demanding an unconditional loan waiver for farmers. However, the NCP (SP) MLA rejected the overture, warning that he would move his agitation closer to the Vitthal-Rukmini temple if the government does not withdraw all the conditions within the next couple of days.
Support for Protest Grows
Support for the protest swelled on Saturday as prominent farmers’ organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, extended their support. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also presented a united front, with the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding that the state withdraw all the conditions currently attached to the loan waiver scheme.
Government Response
Taking note of the escalating situation, state agriculture minister Dattatray Bharne reached out to Pawar via telephone, urging him to end his fast. Speaking to the media in Beed, Bharne defended the government’s stance. “The state has taken a historic decision regarding the farm loan waiver, requiring approximately ₹36,000 crore. Farmers will have more clarity once the implementation phase begins,” Bharne said.
He further invited Pawar to Mumbai for a formal discussion. “The government is ready to address the issues raised. We have scheduled a meeting for Tuesday with officials from the agriculture and revenue departments, alongside Pravin Pardeshi, who heads the state-appointed committee on the loan waiver. I request Rohit Pawar to withdraw his agitation and join us for these talks,” the minister added.
Pawar Remains Firm
Pawar, however, remained firm, stating he would not break his fast until chief minister Devendra Fadnavis makes a public announcement regarding the removal of all conditions.“Farmers are joining this protest because they realise the government’s current announcement is misleading and will not benefit everyone. We insist that the chief minister publicly declare an unconditional waiver,” Pawar said.
He issued a fresh ultimatum, stating, “If such an announcement is not made in the next couple of days, we will shift our hunger strike to the ‘namdev payri’ (the first step of the Vitthal-Rukmini temple), intensifying the agitation.”
