‘Shed ego for demands of farmers and tribals’

: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to shed their ego and accept the “just demands” of the thousands of farmers and tribals protesting in Mumbai. The farmers’ march is a “stunning example of people’s power”, Gandhi said on Twitter.

The Congress, he added, stands with the farmers and tribals marching to protest against the apathy of the central and state governments. “I appeal to PM Modi and the CM to not stand on ego and to accept their just demands,” Gandhi tweeted.

The chief minister said on Monday his government was “sensitive and positive” towards the demands of farmers and tribals, who have marched from Nashik to Mumbai. He was responding during a discussion in the assembly, initiated by Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who lauded the farmers for their peaceful protest.

Late evening, the BJP-led government accepted the demands of agitating farmers, including their right to till forest land.

State’s Revenue minister Chandrakant patil said their “all demands” are being accepted during his address to farmers in the presence of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

The CM told media outside Vidhan Bhawan, “We have agreed to set up a committee to hand over forest land used for farming, to tribals and farmers.”

Azad Maidan in South Mumbai turned into a sea of red as thousands of farmers, carrying red flags, converged in the morning after walking around 180km from neighbouring Nashik district over the last six days.

NEW DELHI