A week after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed over the issue of setting up of mango stall by farmers in Thane, the Raj Thackeray-led MNS would be organising a farmers’ demonstration here.
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Mr. Thackeray said that the protest would be against the exploitation of farmers by local BJP politicians.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mr. Thackeray alleged that around 10 corporators of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), BJP’s district president and other party leaders were involved in threatening local farmers against selling their produce.
“The permission given to the mango farmers was cancelled illegally. This was opposed by workers of the MNS. This incident cannot be neglected as an isolated one. It needs to be answered as a representative incident,” he said, adding that his party will be raising the voice against such injustice.
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The farmers’ rally will commence from Gamdevi ground and culminate at the TMC headquarters.
“Farmers must be extended cooperation to sell their produce either individually or as a group. For which space must be given to them in government offices and civic body buildings. This is not the only way to improve the condition of farmers but they will at least get some relief,” said Mr. Thackeray, adding that the MNS will force the government to make sure such facilities are provided to farmers.
Last week, hawkers associated with the MNS set up mango stalls on footpaths in Thane’s Naupada locality which was opposed by BJP workers claiming that they were blocking the movement of pedestrians. The issue triggered a clash between local BJP and MNS workers, prompting the police to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.