THOUSANDS of farmers and scheme workers marched over 60 Km from February 24, 2026 for three days until the state government finally conceded their main demands on February 27. The Long March by farmers and scheme workers was jointly led under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) in Ahilyanagar district.

The March, in which thousands participated, began at Rajur in Akole tehsil and ended successfully at Nizarneshwar in Sangamner tehsil, on its way to the district headquarters. Some very important issues of the district, some of which were also applicable to the whole state, were taken up in this Long March. 

The March reached close to the border of Loni, the home town of the powerful sugar baron and Water Resources Minister and Ahilyanagar district Guardian Minister in the BJP-led state government, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. Rattled by the determination and militancy showed by the marching farmers and workers, the state government invited the AIKS-CITU leaders for talks at the Mantralaya in Mumbai on February 26. However, these proved inconclusive. 

This Mantralaya meeting was attended from the government side by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, School Education Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Adivasi Welfare Minister Ashok Uike and secretaries of several departments. The Ministers were tentative about getting an assurance of the Chief Minister and the talks remained inconclusive. It was decided to continue the March. 

The marchers had put in 18 demands on behalf of the Adivasis cultivating forest lands, old age pensions, remuneration to the disabled, and demands of scheme workers belonging to ASHA, Anganwadi, Midday Meal and construction workers. 

As the March inched forward towards the Guardian Minister’s home town, the Minister in panic initiated further parleys with his ministerial colleagues and also with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The relevant issues were also placed and approved in the Cabinet. 

The major victories of this March were that it was decided to raise the wages of Part Time Lady Attendants of the Health Department by Rs 2,000 per month, and of the School Midday Meal Workers by Rs 1,000 per month. Financial provision to meet these expenses was also urgently made by the state government. A Family Mediclaim Scheme for construction workers was also sanctioned. All these major gains will apply throughout the state. 

The government also assured that it would expedite the resolution of the following demands: Begin a survey to ensure water for drinking and irrigation from Bhandardara dam to Adivasis, implement immediate decision of handing over ownership rights to the Adivasis of the land they tilled and the plots on which they have built houses, etc. 

The government decisions were communicated to the marchers by Additional District Collector, Additional Superintendent of Police and other officers. Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and Dadasaheb Bhuse also addressed the marchers through video conference and assured them of the quick implementation of the government’s decisions on all 18 issues.

The March was led and addressed at various stages by AIDWA National Vice President Mariam Dhawale, CITU State Secretary Vinod Nikole, MLA, AIKS State President Umesh Deshmukh, leader of the Midday Meals Workers Union Ashok Thorat, AIKS state leaders Jitendra Chopade, Uddhav Poul, Rameshwar Poul, Deepak Lipne, Dharma Shinde, SFI leader Navnath More and DYFI leader Tabrez Shaikh.

Great efforts were made for the success of this March under the leadership of AIKS State Secretary Dr Ajit Nawale by AIKS-CITU-AIDWA-DYFI leaders from Ahilyanagar district – Sadashiv Sabale, Namdeo Bhangre, Eknath Mengal, Nandu Dahane, Ganesh Tajane, Sangita Salve, Hemlata Shelke, Tulshiram Katore, Suman Virnak, Rajaram Gambhire, Tarachand Vighe, Mathurabai Barde, and many others.