Farmers Movement Archive

Probe if Naxalites are part of farm agitation: Ramdas Athawale

NAGPUR: Ramdas Athawale, Union minister of state for social justice, has supported railway minister Piyush Goyal’s statement that the farmers’ agitation has been infiltrated by Naxalites and demanded that central government should probe this aspect. Addressing media here on Sunday, Athawale, however, said that he did not agree with Union minister Raosaheb Danve’s claim that the agitation was sponsored by Pakistan and China. "This is not the view of the government," he added. Athawale said farmers should not demand repeal of the three farm laws. “We are not closing agricultural produce marketing committees (APMCs). If any farmer wants to sell his produce in APMC, he is free to do so. However, if somebody is fetching a higher price elsewhere, he should have the choice of selling there. This is the only way to increase income of farmers," he added. According to Athawale, farmers could demand some amendments in the laws and the government was ready to accommodate their demands. Turning to politics, Athawale said that NCP leader Praful Patel was right in saying that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was insulted by Congress in the past. "Despite having vast experience, Pawar was not made the Prime Minister. He was not invited for important meetings. All party laws were ignored to make Sonia Gandhi the Congress president. Now if Congress does not have a proper candidate, it should make Pawar the party president," he added. Athawale also appealed to Pawar to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Narendra Modi. On state politics, the RPI leader said that an alliance of his party and BJP would win the municipal election in Mumbai. "Sena and NCP are likely to have an alliance. They will not take Congress together. However, if they do there will be so many rebels that it will benefit BJP and RPI," he added.

The Times of India

2020-12-14

Nagpur