Mumbai: Farmer leader Raju Shetti on Tuesday kicked off his 2,000-kilometre yatra of Maharashtra. Mr Shetti, along with his party workers, addressed the first rally at Vikaran, Dhule. Vikaran is the native place of farmer Dharma Patil, who attempted suicide at Mantralaya and subsequently died in January this year. Mr Patil’s son Narendra was present at the rally, where Mr Shetti levelled allegations of cheating against the BJP-led state government.

“Now, we will fight and not commit suicide, is the slogan of this Shetkari Sanmaan Yatra,” said Mr Shetti. Launching the yatra from late Dharma Patil’s village, Vikaran, Mr Shetti will reach 14 districts across three regions of the state. The yatra is aimed at reaching out to 10 lakh farmers. After parting ways with the BJP-led NDA, Mr Shetti is all out against the government and is trying to mobilise farmers across the state.