Sugarcane stir: Raj criticises Mah govt for delaying talks

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today lashed out at the state government over its reported appeal asking protesting sugarcane growers to call off their agitation before engaging in talks on the issue of better procurement price for their crop.

"This (ongoing sugarcane stir) would further become violent if they try to delay the talks. Why is there a need to stop the agitation?," he told reporters here. "If the government is not giving them (sugarcane growers) their rightful procurement price, how can you expect them to demonstrate in a peaceful manner?," he said.

"I support their protest. But I feel that it should not take a violent turn. The issue should be resolved before any untoward incident takes place," he added. The agitation of sugarcane growers in Western Maharashtra in support of enhanced procurement price for the crop continued unabated even as the indefinite fast undertaken by their leader Raju Shetty at Baramati entered the fourth day today.

Raj also supported Shetty's appeal that Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar intervene in the matter to settle the issue. "He (Pawar) is the country's Agriculture minister. He should pay attention to the plight of the sugarcane growers," he added.