Senior BJP MLA and former minister Babanrao Yadav Lonikar triggered controversy on Thursday with his remarks against farmers during a public event in Partur, Jalna district.
Addressing the gathering, he targeted farmers, saying, “PM Narendra Modi gave you money for sowing, we gave you clothes and slippers”.
Opposition parties strongly condemned the comments, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also distanced himself from Lonikar’s remarks, calling them “completely wrong.”
Lonikar, who was minister for water supply during the government led by Devendra Fadnavis between 2014 to 2019, said, “There are a few people and especially the youth who criticise us and our party on social media platforms. We gave overhead water tanks, concrete roads, function halls and benefits of various government schemes in your village,” he is heard telling the gathering.
“We gave money to your mother, sister and wife through the Ladki Bahin Yojana. We have given you your clothes, shoes and slippers, and still you criticise us?” he asked the crowd.
Leader of Opposition in the state legislative council, Ambadas Danve, shared a video of Lonikar's statement on social media. Danve slammed Lonikar, saying, “Such language is not good in a democracy. The BJP leader should know that the clothes and shoes he wears are because of the people. People have elected him as an MLA. The fuel in his car was because of the people. We will remember the statements”.
State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, too, came down heavily over the comments by Lonikar. Terming the statement as disgusting, he said, “If anyone was belittling the people and farmers in such a way, we would not tolerate it. Lonikar should apologise, or he should be suspended from the party, or we will not allow him to travel in any village.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reprimanded his former cabinet colleague, saying, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls himself the Pradhan Sevak of the country. We are the servants of the people. Therefore, no one can become the owner of the people. Lonikar's statement is completely wrong. Even if he made the statement targeting some people, no one has the right to speak like this.”
