The Mahayuti alliance achieved a bumper victory in the assembly elections held last year in Maharashtra. Since then, the opposition has been consistently targeting the state government over the Ladki Behen Yojana and the loan waiver for farmers. The opposition alliance, Mahavikas Aghadi, has slammed the Mahayuti government of failing to fulfill its promises.
Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat has claimed that the Mahayuti government has not delivered on the commitments made at the time of the elections. He said that farmers are currently facing severe hardships and it is the state government's responsibility to provide them with relief. Thorat said that the government had made many promises and assurances before the elections, but has not taken any action since assuming power, leading the public to feel deceived.
Thorat said that while the government is investing significantly in certain areas, it has not made any decisions regarding a loan waiver for farmers. He expressed disappointment over the current government's lack of willingness to provide relief to the farming community.
In response to the accusations, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that he did not promise an agricultural loan waiver before the assembly elections. His comments came after Congress accused the Mahayuti government of going back on its promise regarding loan relief for cultivators.
I did not promise an agricultural loan waiver: Pawar
When questioned about Thorat's comments, Ajit Pawar refrained from giving a direct reply. Instead, he responded to inquiries regarding his assurances about a loan waiver by asking, "Did I assure farmers of a loan waiver before the elections?"
When journalists pointed out that the Mahayuti alliance had made such assurances, Deputy CM Pawar retorted, "Did I give this assurance? Did I give it?" He then left without elaborating further.
Besides, farmer leader Raju Shetty has also slammed the state government, accusing it of neglecting farmers' issues. He also expressed displeasure over the low market prices for key crops such as soybean and cotton.