Opposition’s ‘struggle journey’ against state BJP govt to start today

Mumbai: The much-awaited Sangharsh Yatra, which has united the entire state opposition over the farmer loan waiver issue will finally start from Chandrapur today. Several opposition leaders will gather in Chandrapur to launch the weeklong yatra that will cover every region in Maharashtra. The opposition, mainly Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Congress decided to hit the road after the BJP-led state government suspended 19 opposition MLAs recently for creating ruckus. The government has proposed to revoke the suspension order only if the opposition, which has boycotted the proceedings of the assembly, remains present in the house.

The opposition, comprising Congress, NCP, Samajwadi Party, Peasant and Working Party and others have joined hands to launch anti-government agitation on farmers loan waiver issue. They have demanded it on the floor of the house but the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led state government refused to announce a complete loan waiver. Irate opposition members disrupted the assembly proceedings during the budget speech. Consequently, the assembly speaker suspended 19 MLAs of Congress and NCP for creating ruckus.

Even as the opposition puts up a brave front with the Sangharsha Yatra, there is buzz that Congress leader Narayan Rane plans to ditch the party and join the BJP. Mr Rane is one of the most aggressive and vocal leaders in the opposition. Meanwhile, the yatra will start on Wednesday from Vidarbha and will be end at Panvel, Konkan on April 5. In those eight days, it will cover 18 districts of the state. All the 19 suspended MLAs will take part in the yatra.