Congress Slams Mahayuti Govt: Where’s the Promised Farm Loan Waiver? Serving ‘Meals in Silver Plates’ Is Not Enough!
Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar has criticized the Mahayuti Government for what he describes as “extravagant spending” during a recent conclave, where Estimate Committee members were reportedly served meals on silver plates amid the state’s ongoing financial struggles. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar questioned the government’s priorities, stating, “When the State is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimate Committees in Mumbai?” He estimated the cost of each meal to be ₹5,000, insisting that such expenditures are inappropriate when farmers are denied loan waivers and vital funding for social welfare initiatives, including those supporting tribal communities, is being cut.
The two-day conference, held at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai from June 23, gathered chairpersons and members from various legislative bodies to discuss expenditure estimates for respective budgets. Wadettiwar highlighted the plight of farmers in Vidarbha, many of whom are unable to secure fresh crop loans, as well as the delayed honorarium for Anganwadi workers responsible for childcare. He decried the government’s choice to prioritize lavish meals over crucial support for the needy, calling it an insult to the poor.
Echoing Wadettiwar’s sentiments, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also criticized the government for the opulence displayed during the conference. He raised pointed questions about the source of the funds used for such lavish affairs, especially following the recent discovery of significant cash assets in the Dhule government guesthouse just days prior to the Estimates Committee’s visit. “They have no money for farmers’ loan waivers or even ₹2,100 for a poor sister, but they have no shortage of funds for lavish banquets,” Sapkal remarked.
Wadettiwar also addressed concerns regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra, citing an alleged incident involving a BJP office-bearer accused of molesting a policewoman in Pune. He challenged the ruling coalition’s ability to maintain safety, questioning, “If even women police personnel are not safe, what does that say about law and order?” He criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also oversees the home portfolio, questioning the government’s commitment to justice.
Adding to his critique, Wadettiwar expressed alarm over the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway project, which is set to acquire farmland from local farmers. He urged dissenting ministers, Hasan Mushrif and Prakash Abitkar, to resign if they truly oppose the project, calling token resistance without action hypocritical. The 802-km expressway aims to link Pavnar in Vidarbha with Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border.
Wadettiwar accused the Mahayuti Government of demonstrating “double standards,” noting a discrepancy between its lavish spending for political elites and its neglect of the financially vulnerable. Furthermore, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, an ally of the Congress, weighed in on the situation, alleging severe corruption within the state. “The corruption taking place in Maharashtra cannot be compared to any scam in the world. It is a very high-level scam,” Raut charged.
As the political landscape of Maharashtra continues to evolve, these criticisms highlight the contentious issues of financial management, social welfare, and governance that are gripping the state’s current administration.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/congress-devours-mahayuti-govt-over-serving-meal-in-silver-plates-asks-where-is-farm-loan-waiver/article69739153.ece
Category : Maharashtra
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Publish Date: 2025-06-26 11:53:00
