NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Sunday night withdrew his indefinite hunger strike demanding a comprehensive farm loan waiver after Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan met him and assured him that the state government was willing to hold discussions on the issue.
Mahajan visited the protest site and held talks with Pawar, who had been on a hunger strike along with 26 supporters to press for farmers' demands, particularly a loan waiver for distressed cultivators.
During the meeting, Mahajan urged Pawar
to end his fast and suggested that he meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with senior government officials, including Finance Department Secretary and MITRA CEO Praveen Pardeshi, to discuss the demands in detail.
"The government is very positive towards farmers. Had a letter been submitted seeking an appointment, the Chief Minister would have certainly given time. Before June 22, when the monsoon session begins, we will sit together and hold a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister," Mahajan said.