After 5-day march, 35,000 farmers reach Mumbai. They want loan waivers and fair pay.

A crowd of around 35,000 farmers who began a protest march in Nashik on March 6 reached Mumbai on Sunday evening.

These farmers want a complete waiver of loans and electricity bills. They also want Minimum Support Prices to be fixed keeping Swaminathan Commission recommendations, according to which they should be paid one-and-a-half times the cost of production.

The protest was organised by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). Its president, Ashok Dhavle, is among those leading the march.

Girish Mahajan, a state minister, met the farmers and assured them of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' support. 90 per cent of their demands would be met, he said.

"Tomorrow, at Vidhi Mandal, all issues will be raised. The government is with the farmers," Mahajan promised.

Nationalist Congress Party MLA Jitendra Ahalwad, too, travelled to see the protesters.

SHIV SENA, MNS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT

The Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have announced their support for the farmers.

"Our party President Uddhav Thackeray has time and again made his stand clear that the well being of the farmers is more important than power... Farmers are taking out such a massive morcha for their legitimate right, and hence we will extended all our possible support," Eknath Shinde, who met the farmers, told India Today.

The Sena made arrangements for the farmers to get drinking water and medical facilities in Thane, where they were earlier today.

MNS supremo Raj Thackeray called Kisan Sabha leader Dr Ajit Navale, and announced his party's support to the farmers' cause.

"(The) MNS has extended its support to our march. Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, too, met us and pledged support. Apart from these parties, the CPU, PWP, RPI (Kawade faction) too have suppprted us. We are determined to reach Mumbai's Vidhan Bhawan on Monday. Nothing can stop us now" Nawale told India Today.