Daijiworld Media Network – Kolhapur
Kolhapur, Aug 19: The ongoing opposition to the proposed Shaktipeeth highway project gained momentum on Monday as a massive ‘dhadak morcha’ was held in Ajara, Kolhapur district, with leaders and farmers vowing to intensify the agitation.
Congress MLC Satej Patil, addressing the gathering, said farmers must unite to safeguard their land. “Once upon a time, our country fought for freedom. Now, we must fight again to protect agriculture. Farmers should not fall prey to the lure of money. The Shaktipeeth project is nothing but a conspiracy to hand over farmland to industrialists,” he declared.
The morcha, held from the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the Tehsildar’s office, witnessed slogans such as “Ekach Jidd, Shaktipeeth Radd” echoing through the town.
Former MP Raju Shetti alleged large-scale corruption, claiming the government planned to inflate the project cost. “An 800-km road should cost Rs 32,000 cr, but the state has shown Rs 1,06,000 cr, pocketing Rs 70,000 cr in the name of development. Why sacrifice farmers for CM Fadnavis’s dream project?” he questioned.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vijay Dewane and comrade Sampat Desai also slammed the government, accusing it of siding with industrialists while exploiting farmers. “This is the same government that uses bulldozers against the poor. Farmers will not remain silent till Shaktipeeth is scrapped,” they warned.
Patil further announced that after Ganesh festival, the agitation will be intensified to force the cancellation of the project.