"farmers-protest"

Asking Kejriwal to have mercy on the farmers, she said it was strange that the Delhi CM had only suddenly discovered that farmers were sitting out in the open in cold wave conditions.

"India is in an agitated mode, particularly in Delhi. They (BJP government) are doing drama in the name of discussion," DMK president MK Stalin said.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the impleadment of eight farmer unions as respondents in the petitions seeking the removal of protestors from the borders in the national capital.

Development minister Gopal Rai, said the Arvind Kejriwal-led government and his party stand firmly with the farmers and have been making certain arrangements for them during their protest.

The top court apprehended that the protest could become a national issue and emphasized for reaching a solution via negotiations through this committee.

The farmer unions are not running away from negotiations, but the government has to pay heed to their demands and come forward with concrete proposals, farmer union leaders said.

Farmers have been protesting on different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws.

Fadnavis alleged the state government has not offered help of "even a single penny" to farmers hit by floods and cyclone earlier this year, despite making promises about it.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday appealed to people to fast wherever they are in support of protesting farmers, and asserted that farmers will win in the end.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting on the outskirts of Delhi since late November 26 demanding the government to repeal the newly enacted farm laws.

Yadav's party has been backing the farmers' stir against three new agri laws.

Tens of thousands of farmers have already been camping against the farm laws on Delhi borders since November 27.

Farmer leaders have announced closure of the Jaipur-Delhi and Delhi-Agra Expressways by Saturday.

Meanwhile, a joint delegation of Opposition parties is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind later in the evening today, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

As the agitation picked up in the morning, the hashtag #Aaj_Bharat_Bandh_Hai was trending till late afternoon.

Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana have gathered at various border points of Delhi since November 26 as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws.

In Kolkata, CPI(M) activists along with SFI and DYFI members blocked roads in Lake Town, College Street, Jadavpur and Shyambazar Five-Point Crossing.

Burning tyres were placed on National Highway 110 and 83, resulting in the disruption of traffic, leading to long queues of vehicles.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, extending support to the bandh call, had appealed to all sections of society to observe the bandh to express solidarity with the agitating farmers in New Delhi.

Since morning on Tuesday, all the 3,000 city buses remained in their respective bus depots in the city.