Maharashtra Navnirman Sena plans rallies in cities to campaign on farmers' issues

MUMBAI: The impact of Raj Thackeray's recent speeches on agrarian distress appears to have prompted his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to project itself as a party keenly aware of the vagaries in the rural economy. Party chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday sought support from the urban sections of society to take up farmers' issues while embarking on a series of rallies starting with Thane.
MNS has planned a farmers morcha in Thane from Gamdevi ground to Thane Municipal Corporation office on Friday. The morcha will be led by MNS' second in command, Bala Nandgaonkar. "This could be an attempt by the party to keep its cadre active, ahead of assembly polls and also maintain media attention which the party has gained through its Lok Sabha campaign rallies marked by video presentations," said an observer.
A letter from Thackeray on Thursday said the party intends to raise farmers' issues at rallies in Thane and other cities in the future. "The farmer who produces vegetables or fruits should get a market in urban cities in the state so that they can at least recover their production cost...the corrupt nexus of politician-civic officials does not allow them to sell their produce. Instead of helping poor farmers, BJP corporators...with the help of local goons, evict farmers selling mango produce," alleged the MNS chief.
Avinash Jadhav, district president of Thane MNS, said the BJP-led government claims to be working for farmers but the grassroot situation is different. Jadhav said they would seek a reply for last week's action stopping farmers from selling mangoes in Thane city.
Sanjay Kelkar BJP MLA from Thane, refuted the allegations saying, "There are 9 weekly bazaars functioning through the state government scheme. the issue here was over vending on footpaths."