JAIPUR: Farmers in this Shekhawati region have a tradion of deciding fortunes of political leaders.Since the days of Raj, famers have been on the forefront of movements. Sikar has forced governments — both at the Centre as well as in the state — to listen to their demands several times. Farmers from other regions look up to their Sikar counterparts.No wonder, candidates try to strike a chord with farmers.Sikar’s farmers are relatively better off than those from other parts of the state.“Farmers from Sikar and Shekhawati played key roles in peasant agitations against the British,” said Amra Ram, Rajasthan CPM secretary and leader of All India Kisan Sabha, who led farmers’ agitation in Sikar last September.“Whenever farmers protested, they have forced governmentd to reverse decisions. Recently we protested for loan waiver and the government agreed to meet our demands. In 2016, the government increased electricity rates, but backtracked following our protests,” said Ram.“In 2006, hundreds of farmers from Sikar and Shekhawati gathered at Amroodon Ka Bagh in Jaipur for eight days protesting increased electricity rates. They parked their camel and bullock carts and protested. After eight days, the government withdrew the order,” he said.In 1972, the government imposed levy on bajra (millet). Livid farmers resorted to agitation and forced the government to roll back the decision.“Farmers depend on livestock. We seek that there should be no strict restriction on sale of livestock,” said Sagar Khachariya, district secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Sabha.

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