UPA Govt responsible for farmers' woes not just Pawar: S S Chief

Kolhapur, Oct 11 (UNI) Shetkari Sanghatana (SS) chief Raghunathdada Patil today held the UPA Government responsible for the present critical condition of farmers and not just Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Talking to mediapersons here this evening on the eve of Sanghatana's planned farmers rally with Shiv Sena to be held in the city tomorrow, Mr Patil said that former chairman of the Commission of Agriculture Costs and Prices, T Haque, blamed Mr Pawar for farmers' woes while leaving out the names of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

He said '' The Union Cabinet takes decisions on any matter and not just Mr Pawar.'' Mr Patil said Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray would address tomorrow's rally at Sasne ground here, in which he would demand complete loan waiver for famers and better price of Rs 1,800 per tonne for crushing of sugarcane to farmers.

The Congress was number one enemy of the farmers, he alleged and said his organisation would support Shiv Sena in the coming Assembly elections and also contest the elections at some places as per the arrangement.

Shiv Sena Mahila Front leader Nilam Gorhe and secretary Vinayak Raut also accompanied Mr Patil.

UNI BBK LY/SSS GT AS2251