Opposition questions on how money for drought relief was spent irked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, with both sides launching into a shouting match in the Legislative Assembly. The trigger was apparently NCP MLA and former finance minister Jayant Patil, who said, “The CM has repeatedly said Rs 18,000 crore have been spent on farmers’ welfare in the state… Where has the money gone? If farmers have benefited, why are they committing suicide?”
As ruling party MLAs rushed to his defence, a visibly enraged Fadnavis launched into a tirade against the former government.
Earlier in the day, the CM lost his temper when the Opposition disrupted Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse’s speech. “What is this? Is this the way the Opposition is going to behave? I request the Speaker to take note,” he said.
