The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) backed farmers' body Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) withdrew its protest seeking a hike in minimum support price (MSP) of cotton, within merely two weeks after announcing a statewide agitation against the BJP-led Gujarat government.
"Farmers have been protesting for long and they cannot continue forever. Thus, for the 'larger interest' of farmers, we have decided to withdraw our agitation and start fresh talks
with the state government to solve problems faced by farmers," BKS secretary Vitthal Dudhatara said, after an executive committee meeting of the BKS here today, which was called to discuss its future course of action.
Two weeks ago, the BKS had organised a massive rally in Ahmedabad to exert pressure on the Gujarat government with regard to the cotton MSP issue.
After the Gujarat state government announced a "relief package" of Rs 1,100 crore for farmers, the BKS refused to accept it and intensified its protest by staging protests against in front of the residences of more than 100 local MLAs.
However, the BKS has accepted the Gujarat government's package, which it had rejected earlier, since it claims that it would "benefit" cotton growing farmers.
"After much deliberation, we arrived at a conclusion that truce with the government will ultimately benefit us. We also welcome the package of Rs 1,100 crore, as it will benefit all farmers. We have not given up the main issue, but we want a long-term solution of all our issues," Dudhatara said.
As per its new "strategy", BKS plans to invite the Gujarat government to hold fresh talks with six of their representatives to avoid such "situations" in the future.
"Instead of agitating on every single issue, we want a long-term solution. So, we will write to the state government to hold fresh talks with us. We will also demand inclusion of BKS representatives in all committees responsible for fixing the MSP, so that such situations do not arise in future," Dudhatara said.
