Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachchu Kadu, along with supporters and farmers, block the Nagpur–Hyderabad National Highway (NH-44) during a protest demanding loan waivers for farmers.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: As farmers continue to camp in Nagpur for the second day demanding complete loan waiver under the leadership of former MLA Bacchu Kadu, the traffic movement from the geographical centre of India was affected on Wednesday.
The farmers reached Nagpur around 1700 hrs on Tuesday evening.
Kadu has given time till 1200 hrs noon on Wednesday for the government to decide on loan waiver.
Besides, he had also expressed willingness to talk to the government if representatives meet them.
Traffic from Nagpur to Hyderabad, Jabalpur and Chandrapur was affected, according to reports reaching here.
A few days days ago, Bacchu Bhau, as he is popularly known, started in a tractor from Amravati for the Maha Elgar Morcha and then traversed through Wardha with thousands of farmers
Incidentally, Nagpur is the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The demands of Kadu includes farmers' loan waiver, guaranteed prices for farm produce, honorarium for the differently-abled, and just rights for shepherds and fishermen.
The leaders have support of CPI (M) Maharashtra State Secretary Ajit Nawale, Ajit Nawale, Mahadev Jankar, and Raju Shetti Mahadev Jankar, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti, farmers leaders and former MLA Wamanrao Chatap.
Meanwhile, state Agriculture Minister Dattatreya Bharne said that the government is open to talks. "The government's position is to help farmers," he said adding that the CM and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar are firm to help farmers.
During the day, state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule may reach out to the farmers.