BKS adamant stand ruffles state
Farmers agitation is taking a serious turn with Bharatiya Kisan Sangh asserting that it is in no mood for compromise on the issue of price hike in agriculture tariff. With about eight BJP MLAs putting their weight behind the farmer’s agitation, chief minister Narendra Modi has deputed state government spokesman I.K. Jadeja to hold parleys with them, sources told The Asian Age.

"I have told the state government about the seriousness of the farmer’s agitation. The agitation is likely to worsen and can lead to a crisis if the situation is not resolved early," a senior MLA said on condition of anonymity.

In fact an MLA said certain BJP MLAs are likely to take up the matter directly with the Centre if the state government fails to act.

The Khedut Sangharsh Samiti, an affiliation of about five farmer’s organisations has meanwhile threatened to stage a massive rally outside GEB headquarters at Baroda on August 14.

"Two lakh farmers will march to GEB if the hike is not rolled back," coordination of the Samiti Bipin Desai said here after the coordination meeting held in Ahmedabad.

Mr Desai claimed that the farmers had written to chief minister Narendra Modi to hold discussions on the hike but the chief minister had not responded.

"He wants an agitation and not discussions. The state government is bowing to international pressure and is part of the conspiracy to demolish the agriculture sector in the country," Mr Desai said. He said others programmes including burning of bills publicly and prohibiting GEB teams to enter villages will continue in all districts and talukas.

The BKS strongly disputed the claim of the state government that it had taken farmer’s representatives into confidence before deciding on the price hike. The BKS, with about 22,000 members, is leading farmer’s organisation in the state.

"We are the farmers representatives and we have not been consulted by the state government before taking the decision on the price hike. The state government may have approached some small associations claiming to be farmers’ representatives. We would not asked the farmers not to pay their bills if we had been part of such consultations," Babbabhai Patel, a BKS leader and treasurer told The Asian Age. Meanwhile the BKS has convened a special executive meeting on Sunday to chart out a course of action.

Mr Patel said, "Our demand will be to roll back the entire hike. There cannot be a compromise on that, although a decision on the course of action will be taken only after the meeting."

The state government had for the first time shown signs of mellowing on Wednesday with state government spokesperson and health minister I.K. Jadeja saying that the doors of the state government are open for discussions on farmer’s problems. It also belied a growing frustration with Congress stepping in on the farmer’s agitation.

The Congress on the other hand has created suspicions about the intentions of the BKS, which is the farmers wing of the BJP. "They will strike a compromise with the government and jeopardise the interests of the farmers," leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Amarsinh Chaudhary said. "The farmers will not trust the BKS," he said.

The BKS is under pressure to prove its credibility to farmers. "For the Congress it is a question of political survival. Their agitation will not make any difference. They are misguiding the farmers," Babbabhai said.

The state government meanwhile is keeping its fingers crossed over the outcome of BKS’ Sunday meeting

Republished from The Asian Age