The Opposition today dubbed as "farce" Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to study Uttar Pradesh model of farm loan waiver before implementing the same in Maharashtra.
"We think it is a farce to study UP model before announcing any loan waiver in Maharashtra. One must see that within 16 days, the Yogi (CM Yogi Adityanath) has announced it but Maharashtra's 'Pant', (a reference to Fadnavis) could not do so in last couple of years," leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said.
He was addressing reporters after the conclusion of the Budget session this evening.
"While announcing loan waiver to farmers of Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi (CM Yogi Adityanath) did not study any model. He went ahead and announced it," said Vikhe-Patil.
"We do not approve of loan waiver covering crop loan alone. We want that the entire agriculture loan be waived off," Vikhe-Patil said.
"The entire Opposition was demanding a loan waiver and Maharashtra government did not announce it. The only thing we got was false promises, play of words, cheating and diversion from promises. In the history of 56 years of Maharashtra, we have got a government that has no sympathy for farmers," Vikhe-Patil said.
"The state government is not even consistent on its loan waiver stance. First it said it will get some assistance from Centre, then it said it will study UP model and it has also said that state will waive loan on its own," Vikhe-Patil said.
"The loan waiver issue has become a football. The government is just passing it from one assurance to another," he said.
The senior Congress leader also criticised Shiv Sena for its flip-flops over loan waiver.
He said, "Shiv Sena MPs tried to grab the collar of union aviation minister over one of their MP facing flying ban. Why the party is not doing the same to union agriculture minister over farmers' loan waiver."
"It is nothing but a double standard approach of Shiv Sena," Vikhe-Patil alleged.
"The government tried to suppress our voice by suspending 19 MLAs of Congress and NCP. We went to the people through our Sangharsh Yatra, to keep the momentum for loan waiver intact," said the leader of opposition.
CM Fadnavis is trying to show that he is now studying the matter. But UP model of waiving of up to Rs one lakh debt is not acceptable. Entire loan should be waived off, Vikhe Patil said.
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