The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) launched a scathing attack on the Fadnavis government on Wednesday over the spate of farmers’ suicides and the drought situation in the State.
The NCP fielded senior party leaders in both the Houses of the State legislature to speak on the drought situation when the government relented on the Opposition’s demand for an immediate discussion.
“Devendra Fadnavis’ small tenure as the Chief Minister has witnessed more farmers’ suicides than any other CM’s tenure before him. Over 400 farmers have committed suicide in the last two months in the State. You [BJP] are ruling at the Centre and in the State. What has stopped you from providing relief to the farmers?” asked NCP leader Ajit Pawar while demanding “waiver of debts” and “immediate relief package” to the drought-affected farmers.
Stop blaming us: PawarTaking a dig at BJP MLA Chinsukh Sancheti who opened the debate and blamed the previous “Congress-NCP government’s mismanagement” for farmers’ suicides, Mr. Pawar said: “Stop blaming us. We are sitting in the Opposition because we might have made some mistakes. We accept that. Do you want to commit the same mistakes? You won’t be able to rule if the farmers of this State take to the streets against you.”
Senior NCP leader and former minister Chhagan Bhujbal claimed that the previous Congress-NCP government spent Rs. 14,000 crore to deal with the drought situation and provide relief to the farmers.
“Not a single agriculture product is getting proper market price under the BJP-Shiv Sena government. What will the farmers do? Take steps and make sure the spate of suicides stops. Give confidence to the farmers,” said Mr. Bhujbal. Calling Mr. Fadnavis “a clever CM and a good planner,” he asked him to deliver on his poll promises.
Citing Union Agriculture Minister’s statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the State had not declared drought, Mr. Bhujbal asked the government to come clear on the issue.
In the upper House, NCP State president Sunil Tatkare and Dhanajay Munde slammed the government for “delay” in announcing help to the farmers. NCP leaders dominated the debate in both the Houses as senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan, did not take part in the proceedings.
State Finance Minister Sudhir Manguntiwar said that the government would reply to the debate on Thursday.
