Published 22:30 IST, January 22nd 2021

Fadnavis tries to dissuade Anna Hazare from undertaking hunger strike in favour of farmers

A BJP delegation led by former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met social activist Anna Hazare days ahead of his indefinite fast over farmers' issues.

Reported by: Akhil Oka
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On Friday, a BJP delegation led by former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met social activist Anna Hazare days ahead of his indefinite fast over farmers' issues. Backing demands of farmers protesting against agrarian laws in Delhi, Hazare has anunced a hunger strike from January 30 at Ralegaon Siddhi. Moreover, he has also urged  Centre to implement recommendations of Swaminathan Commission regarding MSP and statutory status and automy for Central Agriculture Price Commission. 

During meeting, BJP leaders tried to dissuade Hazare from undertaking indefinite fast. Speaking to media, Fadnavis revealed that y would communicate activist's perspective to Centre so that his demands can be addressed. Hailing him as a "jewel" of Maharashtra, Leader of Opposition in state Assembly expressed hope that Union government will take certain decisions based on Hazare's suggestions. 

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Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis remarked, "We met hourable Anna regarding his call for agitation from January 30 onwards. We have taken cognizance of Anna's point of view and his demands. We heard his perspective on  action taken on some of his demands which have been accepted in past. We will put forth Anna Hazare's opinion before Centre. We will try to ensure that Centre takes some decisions based on this. Anna Hazare is t just a person but a very important personality of Maharashtra. He is jewel of Maharashtra. He is relentlessly fighting for society. So, our wish is that all of his issues should get addressed so that he doesn't need to start an agitation."

Read: Punjab CM Lashes Out At Govt's 'stubbornness' On Farm Laws As Centre-Farmer Talks Stall

Read: CWC Passes Resolutions Backing COVID-19 Vaccination, Demanding Repeal Of Three Farm Laws

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Talks over farm laws

Meanwhile,  talks between Union government and farmers' unions have come to a standstill amid protests against farm laws. This development comes after associations refused to agree to Centre's proposal for suspending implementation of aforesaid legislation for one and a half years. While 12th round of talks on Friday lasted for nearly 5 hours, farmers claimed that two sides sat face-to-face for less than 30 minutes.

Maintaining that re was problem in three agrarian laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stated that Centre had offered to suspend m as a token of respect for farmers. Furrmore, he categorically said that Union government is ready for ar meeting only if  farmers want to discuss this proposal. refore, date has been fixed for next round of talks.

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Read: Akhilesh Yadav Disapproves Of Centre's Proposal On Farm Laws, Links Move To 2024 LS Polls

22:30 IST, January 22nd 2021