Shed your egos, Rahul Gandhi asks PM and Maharashtra CM on the demands of farmers, who converge in Mumbai in thousands

"I appeal to PM Modi and the CM to not stand on ego and to accept their just demands," Gandhi tweeted as about 50,000 farmers from different tribal dominated areas of Nashik, Palghar and Thane came in a long march and met the Chief Minister.

"The mammoth farmers march to Mumbai is a "stunning example of people's power", Gandhi tweeted.

He said the Congress stands by the farmers, who are   demanding a loan waiver free of any conditions , implementation of the Forest Rights Act, fixed remunerative prices for agri produce and implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis told the state Assembly that his Government is  "sensitive and positive" towards the demands of farmers and tribals.

He  said protesters were adamant on the march even as the government tried to talk to them. All help was provided, like traffic management and deployment of medical vans, CM Fadnavis said.

According to media reports, the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai turned into a sea of red this morning as tens of thousands of farmers, under the banner of CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha assembled carrying red flags. They reached the city walking 180 km over the last six days.

The farmers plan to surround the Assembly complex to press for their demands of an unconditional loan waiver, and transfer of forest land to tribal farmers who have been tilling it for years.

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