The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and its affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) mobilised thousands of farmers from across Maharashtra in a long march towards Mumbai on 26–27 October, demanding drought relief, crop-insurance payments, debt relief and land rights. The march was suspended after a delegation met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and received assurances on several demands.
CPI(M)-led farmers’ march to Mumbai suspended after assurances from Maharashtra government
Thousands of farmers mobilise across Maharashtra
The AIKS-led vehicle march began in Akole, in Ahilyanagar district, following an earlier mobilisation by an estimated 7,000 farmers, agricultural workers and women on 22 October. The campaign involved the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), organisations associated with the CPI(M).
According to the organisers, approximately 12,000 farmers from more than 20 districts joined the march, travelling in a convoy of over 1,000 vehicles. On 27 October, demonstrators continued towards Mumbai, descending Kasara Ghat on foot before the convoy halted at Shahapur in Thane district.
The mobilisation raised demands for adequate compensation for drought-related crop losses, immediate settlement of crop-insurance claims and a â‚ą200,000 loan waiver for farmers who had regularly repaid their loans. The protesters also called for land titles for people cultivating forest, grazing, temple-trust and homestead lands, fair wages and social security for rural and scheme workers, and the release of delayed payments under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi scheme. They also sought the restoration of benefits for women excluded from the Ladki Bahin assistance programme.
The organisers rejected the Maharashtra government’s initial announcement of ₹5,000 in interim drought assistance, arguing that it did not adequately address farmers’ losses and mounting financial pressures.
Government gives assurances; follow-up meeting scheduled
On 27 October, an AIKS delegation led by its representatives met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other state government officials. Following the meeting, the organisation announced that it was suspending the march.
According to the AIKS account reported by the Press Trust of India, the government assured the delegation that drought-affected farmers would receive assistance beyond the norms prescribed by the National Disaster Response Fund and that two pending instalments under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi scheme would be released. The government also agreed to discuss increasing the â‚ą50,000 incentive for farmers who regularly repay their loans.
Other assurances concerned the reinstatement of eligible women in the Ladki Bahin scheme, an increase in the honorarium of school nutrition programme workers, construction workers’ welfare benefits and land-related demands. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for 4 November to review implementation.
The suspension of the march followed these assurances; it does not in itself establish that all the demands have been fulfilled. The implementation of the commitments will be a key issue for the farmers’ movement in the coming days.
CPI(M) and CPI continue campaign over electoral rights
Alongside the farmers’ mobilisation, CPI(M) and CPI have continued to participate in protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the SIR electoral-roll revision process.
On 23 October, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and CPI representative P. Sandosh Kumar joined a demonstration organised by the People Against SIR coalition in New Delhi. The action brought together farmers, workers, students, women’s organisations and civil-society groups. Police barricades prevented demonstrators from reaching the Election Commission’s headquarters, and more than 150 people were detained, according to The Indian Express.
The two parties and their associated student organisations have argued that the electoral-roll revision risks excluding eligible voters and have called for greater transparency and impartiality in electoral administration.
The CPI(M) has also continued its campaign through party statements and public meetings. General Secretary M. A. Baby announced preparations for an INDIA bloc programme on 30 October, described as a “people’s impeachment” of Kumar, with retired judges and jurists expected to participate. The initiative is planned as a public political proceeding.