More articles by

Dnyanesh Jathar
Dnyanesh Jathar

Farmers' issues

Yashwant Sinha digs in heels on farmers' stir in Maharashtra

yashwant-sinha-detained-pti Yashwant Sinha being detained in Akola in Maharashtra | PTI

Senior BJP leader and former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha has decided to continue his 'sit in' agitation at Akola in Maharashtra to demand justice for farmers despite being detained by police.

BJP MP Nana Patole told THE WEEK that Sinha was sitting under a tree at the police ground in Akola. He was detained on Monday as he was demanding immediate relief for farmers. “He continues to sit under the tree at the police ground and has said that he will not leave till the demands of farmers are met," Patole said. Patole is one of the first BJP MPs to speak openly against the agrarian policies of the Modi and Fadnavis governments.

Sinha was in Akola for a meeting of farmers who have been demanding that their crops like cotton, soyabean and toor be purchased by the government and payments made promptly.

Patole said that there was no word from the chief minister yet about the demands made by Sinha. "If his demands are not met, senior leaders like Arun Shourie and Shatrughan Sinha too will join us here," said Patole. A regional news channel, meanwhile, reported that Sinha had spoken with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

The Congress condemned the action taken against Sinha. "Thousands of farmers have committed suicide. Any sensible politician will raise the issues that Sinha has raised. Instead of introspecting on his demands, this government is behaving in a very autocratic manner and trying to muzzle the voice of protest," said MPCC general secretary and spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

State BJP president Raosaheb Danve could not be reached for comment.

This browser settings will not support to add bookmarks programmatically. Please press Ctrl+D or change settings to bookmark this page.

Related Reading