Fissures in farmers’ panel, to meet state govt today

Notwithstanding the differences that appeared amongst them, the farmers’ core committee decided to meet up with a highpower state ministerial committee on Sunday to discuss the loan waiver issue as well as its demands for a minimum support price, respectable rates for milk and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission.

The committee, which met on Saturday in Mumbai, has also decided to keep the agitation going till the government

I had no idea about my name being included in the ministers panel formed to look into farmers issues. We are kept in the dark. — Diwakar

Raote, Sena minister

arrives at a decision.

But fractures within this committee were on display in the press conference after the meeting. Mr Raju Shetti’s appointment as the leader of the committee had angered Raghunathdada Patil, another farmer leader from Kolhapur’s Hatkanangale area, and his greatest rival.

On being asked about the composition of the delegation, which would meet with the government on Sunday, Mr Patil said, “Why just Mr Shetti? I too will go to talk with government.”

Jayant Patil of the PWP, who is also an MLC, tried to control the situation by saying, “We will decide later as to who will be included in the delegation,” To which Mr Patil said, “I don’t know about others, but I will be there.”