A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met Gujarat Chief Minister at Swarnim Sankul in Gandhinagar yesterday to discuss 11 key demands raised by farmers across the state.
The delegation was led by AAP State President Isudan Gadhvi and included MLAs Gopal Italia and Chaitar Vasava, State Organisation General Secretary Manoj Sorathiya, National Joint Secretary Raju Solanki, State Youth President Brijraj Solanki, State Vice President Gauri Desai, Central Zone Working President Dr. Javelben Vasara, State Chief Spokesperson Dr. Karan Barot, and other senior leaders.
Following the meeting, Gadhvi expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for taking the time to hear their concerns.
Speaking to the media, Isudan Gadhvi outlined that the party has been conducting agitations across Gujarat for the past two months to highlight farmers’ issues.
“Whether it was atrocities on farmers in Haddad, the killing of cattle rearers in Modasa, or high-tension power lines being laid through farmers’ fields, we organised eight to nine 'Kisan Mahapanchayats' across the state,” he said.
Gadhvi added that at Sudamda, AAP announced its plan to approach the Chief Minister with 10 demands, which later increased to 11 due to concerns over inadequate compensation for high-tension power lines passing through agricultural fields.
The AAP leader further said that nearly 8,000 villages participated in the 'Kisan Mahapanchayats,' with support letters collected from approximately 80,000 farmers. “Solutions to all these issues are possible.
Compensation of ₹50,000 per hectare can be given, and 12 hours of electricity supply per day can be ensured,” he stated. Gadhvi noted that the Chief Minister had assured the delegation that the concerns would be addressed.
However, he also warned that if these 11 issues are not resolved by the upcoming budget session, the party will be compelled to take the matter to the streets. Gadhvi added that the campaign is set to expand, with a signature drive planned to involve 20 lakh farmers, and that AAP legislators will continue to raise these issues in the Legislative Assembly.
“As the opposition, we have brought farmers’ issues onto a common platform, and if there is no resolution, we will fight for the rights of farmers, farm labourers and sharecroppers,” he said.