File Photo: NCP protests against the Maharashtra government and demand relief for drought-affected farmers (Press Trust of India)
Former Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal today warned that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will further intensify its 'jail bharo' agitation, if the BJP-led state government does not take any steps to tackle the scarcity situation.
He also demanded that the government should start a 'fodder camp' for cattle, increase water tankers, waive total loan advances and electricity bills of the farmers.
Mr Bhujbal himself led the 'jail bharo' agitation at Nashik's Dwarka circle locality on Nashik-Pune highway, where he and thousands of NCP activists courted arrest.
Addressing a gathering at Dwarka circle, Bhujbal said,"the scarcity situation is also being felt in north Maharashtra, including Nashik district. NCP will further intensify its 'jail bharo' agitation, if the BJP-led state government does not take any steps to tackle it."
The government should take steps in these districts as it is doing in Marathwada region, instead of misleading people by asking what Congress-NCP government had done in past 15 years, he said.
Pointing out that the prices of essential commodities have increased, he demanded that the government should waive educational fees of the students and start employment guarantee scheme works.
The NCP leader said that yesterday party workers staged the 'jail bharo' agitation in eight districts of Marathwada region. Considering the ongoing Kumbh mela in Nashik, the NCP has planned the agitation in Nashik revenue division, comprising five districts of Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar and Ahmednagar.
Mr Bhujbal, several other NCP activists and agitating farmers came on bullock carts to protest against the state government and courted arrest. They were taken to Bhadrakali and Gangapur police stations to clear the highway, police said.
Similar 'jail bharo' agitation was held at 23 places in the district where local leaders were rounded up by police.