Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday slammed BJP leader Babanrao Lonikar for his controversial remarks at a public gathering and asserted it was the "height of perversion" of the ruling party.
Speaking at a function on 'Har Ghar Solar' scheme in his assembly constituency Partur in Jalna district, Lonikar said people who criticise his party and government should know they are getting "clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us".
Addressing a press conference, Sapkal said," Schemes for farmers are funded by public money, not by Narendra Modi. Insulting the food giver of the world is the height of perversion. Lonikar's arrogance has crossed all limits. He has insulted farmers and must offer a public apology, or else face dire consequences." The BJP is obsessed with 'one language, one religion, one leader' and wants to portray itself as the sole authority, which is a hateful and dangerous mindset, Sapkal said.
"Governments are formed by the people's mandate and run on public money. If schemes are implemented for farmers, it is not an act of charity. The belief that Narendra Modi gives everything is a delusion held by people like Lonikar. Calling farmers beggars or insulting them is outrageous. Even the current agriculture minister had earlier demeaned farmers by calling them beggars," Sapkal pointed out.
Slamming Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the 802-kilometre Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, Sapkal said it is being built to help "favoured industrialists export their raw materials".
"This is a red-carpet project exclusively for them. The government claims it has no money to pay salaries to employees, no funds to clear contractor dues, no money to provide Rs 2,100 to beloved sisters (under Ladki Bahin Yojana), no funds for farm loan waivers. But it has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for the Shaktipeeth highway. This expenditure could go up to Rs 1.5 lakh crore and is a ploy for corruption and profiteering," he claimed.
This is the beginning of pushing Maharashtra toward bankruptcy, he said.
The BJP government does not represent the interests of common citizens, farmers, labourers or the unemployed but exists only for a handful of corporates, Sapkal alleged.
Asked about a protest march being organised next month against alleged imposition of Hindi in the state, Sapkal said the Congress will participate in all protests and movements being carried out for Marathi language.
"This issue isn't just political. It is about Maharashtra's identity, its language, and its cultural heritage," Sapkal asserted. PTI MR BNM
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Sapkal slams Lonikar for 'we gave you everything' comment; attacks CM over Shaktipeeth Expressway
Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday slammed BJP leader Babanrao Lonikar for his controversial remarks at a public gathering and asserted it was the "height of perversion" of the ruling party.
Speaking at a function on 'Har Ghar Solar' scheme in his assembly constituency Partur in Jalna district, Lonikar said people who criticise his party and government should know they are getting "clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us".
Addressing a press conference, Sapkal said," Schemes for farmers are funded by public money, not by Narendra Modi. Insulting the food giver of the world is the height of perversion. Lonikar's arrogance has crossed all limits. He has insulted farmers and must offer a public apology, or else face dire consequences." The BJP is obsessed with 'one language, one religion, one leader' and wants to portray itself as the sole authority, which is a hateful and dangerous mindset, Sapkal said.
"Governments are formed by the people's mandate and run on public money. If schemes are implemented for farmers, it is not an act of charity. The belief that Narendra Modi gives everything is a delusion held by people like Lonikar. Calling farmers beggars or insulting them is outrageous. Even the current agriculture minister had earlier demeaned farmers by calling them beggars," Sapkal pointed out.
Slamming Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the 802-kilometre Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, Sapkal said it is being built to help "favoured industrialists export their raw materials".
"This is a red-carpet project exclusively for them. The government claims it has no money to pay salaries to employees, no funds to clear contractor dues, no money to provide Rs 2,100 to beloved sisters (under Ladki Bahin Yojana), no funds for farm loan waivers. But it has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for the Shaktipeeth highway. This expenditure could go up to Rs 1.5 lakh crore and is a ploy for corruption and profiteering," he claimed.
This is the beginning of pushing Maharashtra toward bankruptcy, he said.
The BJP government does not represent the interests of common citizens, farmers, labourers or the unemployed but exists only for a handful of corporates, Sapkal alleged.
Asked about a protest march being organised next month against alleged imposition of Hindi in the state, Sapkal said the Congress will participate in all protests and movements being carried out for Marathi language.
"This issue isn't just political. It is about Maharashtra's identity, its language, and its cultural heritage," Sapkal asserted. PTI MR BNM