Farmers warn of protests at Modi rally

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, April 20

The Maharashtra government is likely to deploy central forces at Nashik where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a rally on Monday after intelligence reports indicated that farmers could hold protests.

Modi will be campaigning for the Shiv Sena’s sitting MP Hemant Godse from Nashik and the BJP’s Bharati Pawar from the neighbouring Dindori constituency.

District officials said they had received inputs about possible protests by farmers after Modi’s campaign programme at Nashik was unveiled around a week ago. The CPI (M), which has some amount of support in the region, has announced that it would hold a protest by pensioners at the rally venue.

”The ground where the PM will hold a rally at Pimpalgaon-Baswant is nearly 700 acres and securing is perimeter is a tough task,” a district police official said.

The area lies at the heart of onion country where farmers have been forced to sell onions at less than Rs 2 per kilogramme. One farmer had angrily sent the proceeds from the sale of onions to Modi earlier this
year in protest at the low price.

NCP’s Sameer Bhujbal who is taking on Godse and his uncle Chhagan Bhujbal have turned non-remunerative price for agricultural produce into an election issue here.

Apart from the threat of protesters, the ground is said to be infested with snakes, forcing the authorities to deploy a team of snake catchers as well.

Among the security measures being taken include digging of a six-foot deep ditch all along the perimeter of the ground to ensure that protesters do not rush towards the dais from all sides, according to
reports from the area.

On the other hand, BJP leaders are wary of the audience leaving in the middle of Modi’s speech. Local party leaders were taken to task after members of the audience began walking out even while Modi was delivering his speech at his rallies in Wardha and Ahmednagar earlier this month. Party leaders in the Nashik region have been asked to ensure that the crowds mobilised by them stay put till Modi finishes his speech.