Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna (SSS), a partner in the BJP-led Maharashtra government, has alleged misuse of powers over slapping of an externment order against one of its key functionaries in Buldhana district.
Devendra Bhuyar, who heads Vidarbha region of the pro-farmer oufit, received the order of externment under the Bombay Police Act last week in a case of alleged extortion and obstruction of government work.
As per the notice, he has been barred from entering Buldhana district for the next two years.
Under the provisions of the Bombay Police Act, police prepares the externment order, which is then sent to the revenue department for approval following which it is forwarded to the IG, after whose approval it is implemented by the district police.
The decision has not only irked local workers of SSS, but also the entire organisation which supported BJP during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections of 2014.
Notably, Sadabhau Khot, sole SSS member in the state Legislative Council, is Minister of State for Horticulture and Marketing.
Raju Shetti, SSS's founder and two-time MP, said, "This is nothing but misuse of power and unfortunately, the current government is also using the state machinery for its own purpose. I am not going to accept such treatment of my party workers, who fight for people but end up getting ill-treated over petty political grounds."
Though none of the SSS leaders and party functionaries named the trouble makers, some of them claimed that local BJP leaders considered Bhuyar a threat.
"I have been working as SSS worker for a long time and through my hard work I have been elevated to the post of Vidarbha chief of the SSS. Our insistence for better returns to cotton crop and soyabean has received support of farmers and the organisation is growing in Vidarbha region. The organisation's popularity is the real problem to some leaders, who ensured that I get notice of externment," Bhuyar told PTI today.
If such acts continue, BJP would be in trouble because it does not have a good support in rural areas unlike SSS, he said.
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna was started in Kolhapur district. It focussed on Western Maharashtra initially by launching agitations for getting better sugarcane price.
In last few years, Shetti began tapping other areas of the state such as Vidarbha and Marathwada, where cash crops like cotton and soyabean are largely cultivated.
Shetti along with his party workers recently met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting recall of the order against Bhuyar.
"In the first meeting, CM appeared to be positive. I am meeting him again to ensure that the state administration is not used against us," he added.
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