Oppn MLAs Arrive Wearing Onion Garlands At Maharashtra Assembly To Protest Against Fall In Prices. In Pics

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs arrived at the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday wearing onion garlands and holding onions on their heads, seeking a fair price for onions as prices fell.

During the Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Opposition Leader Ajit Pawar and Maha Vikas Aghadi MLAs organise a protest against the Maharashtra government over sharp declines in onion and cotton prices.

The Maharashtra assembly was suspended for the day today after an uproar by Opposition members over plummeting onion prices. (Image Source: PTI)

As Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated in the Legislative Council that the state government was willing to provide a grant to onion producers, the Opposition MLAs demanded a discussion on the farmers' issue in the assembly. (Image Source: PTI)

The House was adjourned for the day after two brief adjournments, much to the dismay of the Opposition. (Image Source: PTI)

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party MLAs protested in the Maharashtra assembly while wearing an onion garland. (Image Source: PTI)

According to Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra government is doing all possible to help onion farmers by purchasing their produce. (Image Source: PTI)

The assembly protests come a day after farmers in Asia's largest onion market, Nashik district, halted the auction due to falling prices. After a promise from a state official, the demonstration at the Lasalgaon mandi in Nashik was called off in the evening, PTI reported.  (Image Source: PTI)

The wholesale price of onions, which had been steadily declining across the state, dropped from $4 to $2 per kg yesterday, infuriating farmers. Onion growers have asked an immediate payout of $1,500 per quintal of onions, as well as that the government purchase their produce at a price of 15-20 per kg. Otherwise, they would not allow the sale to resume at the mandi, PTI reported.  (Image Source: PTI)