Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
PUNE: Speaking to reporters in Pune after attending an event organised by NITI Ayog, he said, “Bachhu Kadu has raised multiple demands, which require a clear roadmap for a solution. A meeting was called for this purpose, but he and his supporters refused to attend it by sending a message at midnight.”“I urge the protesters to participate in discussions instead of causing disruptions. They should avoid actions that inconvenience the public,” Fadnavis said, adding that many people, including patients, suffered inconvenience as ambulances were stuck in a traffic jam for hours after the protesters blocked the Nagpur-Hyderabad Highway and Samruddhi Highway on Tuesday.“Many times, some miscreants infiltrate such protests. While there are genuine participants in this protest and I have no objection to that, the miscreants can turn the agitation violent. That is why rail roko or similar protests should not be held, and we will not allow them,” he added.Kadu’s supporters, including some specially abled people who are members of his organisation Prahar, also joined the protest on Tuesday. The protesters have threatened to block railway movements if the govt does not fulfil their demands.The CM said that the govt did not refuse a farm loan waiver but said the current priority was to provide immediate financial assistance to farmers who suffered crop losses due to heavy rains. “When we waive loans, the money goes to banks, not directly benefiting the farmers. Our focus now is to help farmers, not banks,” he said. Fadnavis added that the govt has already announced a Rs 3,200 crore relief package and that compensation is being credited to farmers’ accounts. “The decision on a loan waiver will be taken at the appropriate time,” he said.
