Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the centre and state, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshvardhan Sapkal said onion farmers are currently getting only ₹200–300 per quintal for their produce and blamed the Modi-led government at the Centre and the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state for the miserable condition of onion growers.
He warned that the Congress party and the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) would not sit quietly until onion farmers receive a substantial minimum support price (MSP), and said the government would be forced to act.
Demanding an MSP of ₹3,000 per quintal for onions, the Mahavikas Aghadi organised a Shetkari Kranti Maha Morcha at Chandwad Chowphuli in Nashik district. A road blockade protest was also staged during the agitation. Prominent leaders present at the farmers’ march included Sapkal, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) state president and MLA Shashikant Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ambadas Danve, MLA Rohit Pawar, MP Shobha Bachhav, MP Bhagre Guruji, Nashik Rural District Congress president Bharat Takekar, Ramesh Kahandole, and Nashik City Congress president Bablu Khaire.
During the road blockade protest, police detained several leaders using force, but the protesters declared that the farmers’ struggle could not be suppressed. Slogans such as “Sarkar humse darti hai, police ko aage karti hai” echoed across the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Sapkal further said inflation has made it extremely difficult for farmers to survive and continue farming, while agricultural produce is not getting remunerative prices. Onion prices have crashed, leaving farmers distressed, yet the government remains indifferent. Although the government announced the procurement of onions, actual purchases have still not begun. He insisted that onion procurement must be carried out through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and urged the government not to benefit traders at the expense of farmers. He alleged that CM Fadnavis has repeatedly failed to fulfil promises made to the people.
Sapkal said the BJP government has not helped farmers during times of crisis and added that there is now no option but to remove a government that is “harassing farmers.” He reiterated that the Congress and the entire Mahavikas Aghadi stand firmly with farmers and would continue the agitation until onion growers receive a guaranteed support price.
Shiv Sena leader Ambadas Danve, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) state president Shashikant Shinde, and MLA Rohit Pawar also addressed the farmers and criticised the BJP government.