Farmers under the banner of Chhattisgarh Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (CSKM) in different parts of Chhattisgarh staged a road blockade over the issue of limited paddy procurement issue on Saturday.
Former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi participated in the protest along with his supporters. However no other Congress leader took part in the protest. About 25 different farmers groups had extended their support to Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. The Chhattisgarh Sanyukt Kisan Morcha claimed that the farmers’ agitation against various issues including limited paddy procurement decision was successful.
Jageswar Prasad, Spokesperson of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha claimed that 6000 farmers staged road blockades near Ghodari river turning while another 4000 staged demonstrations near Arang College chowk as part of state-wide protests.The supporters of the former Chief Minister shouting anti-government slogans were removed by police while attempting to block the National Highway.Meanwhile, Jogi urged the State Government to withdraw the decision of limited paddy procurement immediately for the benefit of the farmers in Chhattisgarh.
BJP terms farmer agitation a flop show The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the road blockade staged by certain farmers groups as a ‘political drama’ staged by former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi.The State BJP leaders accused Jogi of misleading farmers and trying to create chaos ahead of Diwali festival.
In a statement issued by BJP State headquarters here, the BJP State Vice President and Spokesperson Sachchidanand Upasane said that the State Government is making payments to the farmers on time and also providing subsidy on fertiliser, electricity and seed.The agitation was a flop show since Congress State President Bhupesh Baghel had restricted party workers from attending the protests, he said.