Bhopal, May 6 (IANS) The Congress party has announced a major agitation in Madhya Pradesh on May 7 to highlight farmers’ grievances. As part of this protest, the party will block national highways at seven different locations across the state in what it calls a “Road Satyagraha.”

The move comes amid allegations that the government has failed to manage the wheat procurement system and has not fulfilled its commitments to farmers.

Former Minister P.C. Sharma will lead the agitation, while State Congress President Jitu Patwari has pledged active participation. The party insists the protest will remain peaceful but aims to deliver the farmers’ voice to the government with force.

While speaking to the media, Patwari said that Congress will block the Mumbai–Agra National Highway and will not retreat in its fight for farmers’ interests. Reacting to the Congress’ move, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal said the Congress has no right to even speak about wheat procurement.

He argued that the previous Congress government should revisit its record before 2004, claiming it never procured even a single grain of wheat. “What was the price of wheat during their regime?” Khandelwal asked.

He further said Congress must apologise to farmers for the Multai shootout incident, which claimed several lives, and for pushing hundreds of farmers into distress.

According to Congress, the agitation could disrupt traffic across nearly 747 kilometres in 11 districts.

In anticipation, the administration has begun preparing security and traffic management measures.

Party leaders argue that repeated extensions of procurement deadlines, delays in slot bookings, and hurdles in payment processing demonstrate systemic failure. They point out that only 9.30 lakh metric tonnes of wheat were procured in the first 14 days, leaving farmers to bear financial losses.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav wrote on his X handle: “In Madhya Pradesh, 4.1 million metric tons of wheat have been procured so far, and payments amounting to Rs 6,520 crore have been made to farmers. Farmers can book their slots until May 23. We urge all farmers to book slots in a timely manner to ensure a smooth and hassle-free sale of their agri-produce.”

Patwari emphasised that the protest is not intended to inconvenience the public but to defend farmers’ rights. He accused the Mohan Yadav government of neglecting farmers, saying they are forced to wait on roads with their produce in extreme heat because the administration lacks both proper policy and intent.

The Congress further alleges irregularities at procurement centres, a shortage of weighbridges, disorganised mandis, and corruption, all of which have worsened farmers’ hardships. The party claims that farmers are in deep distress, describing their plight as “shedding tears of blood.”

To intensify pressure, Congress, along with farmer organisations, will stage the road blockade on May 7.

The Seva Dal and Kisan Morcha are actively preparing for the protest, which the party hopes to expand into a state-wide movement.

Congress has outlined key demands, including fair support prices for crops, immediate compensation for damaged harvests, transparency in agricultural markets, and a streamlined procurement process. By consolidating these issues, the party aims to mount a major agitation in defence of farmers across Madhya Pradesh.

–IANS

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