States » WestPosted at: Oct 17 2026 8:20PM


BJP ministers splurging on festivities as Maha suffers drought: Congress

Mumbai, Oct 17 (UNI) Senior Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe today alleged that ruling BJP leaders are squandering nearly Rs 100 crore on lavish festival-related events at a time when Maharashtra is facing its most severe drought since 1972.
Speaking to media persons here, he said, “The farmers and the general public are suffering badly, with 305 talukas declared drought-affected. Inflation has touched the skies and there is no drinking water in the villages nor fodder for animals. Students have no money to pay fees, but BJP leaders are busy spending Rs 100 crore on festival related events. Does Fadnavis have the courage to make such insensitive leaders resign?”
Londhe said that the Navratri festival is currently underway, but given the current situation, the festival can be celebrated in a simple manner.
“While appealing to the public to be frugal, BJP leaders themselves squander crores of rupees by organising Garba events. BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, minister Ashish Shelar, MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, former MP Gopal Shetty, MLA Sanjay Upadhyay, MLA Vinod Shelar have spent fortunes on Garba. This is a cruel joke on the farmers suffering from drought and is a perverted way of rubbing salt into their wounds,” Congress spokesperson said.
Londhe stated that BJP state president Ravindra Chavan has organised Namo Navratri festivals in Dombivli in Mumbai and a large air-conditioned pavilion has been set up for Garba at Sant Savlaram Maharaj Sports Complex.
“Large chandeliers and electric lighting have been installed in this pavilion. Lakhs of rupees have been spent for this. Large welcome arches and LED screens, LED lights have been installed and 15,000 people participate in festivities every day. For this, a 7,000 square feet indoor platform, a 20,000-feet outdoor platform have been built and an expenditure of Rs 60 lakh has been spent for this. A 2000-tonne air conditioner has been placed at the pavilion, and its rent is Rs 60 lakh per day,” Congress spokesperson claimed.
Londhe alleged that Rs 25 lakhs have been spent on sound and lights per day, 25 generator sets have been hired for the pavilion, on a daily rent of Rs 6.5 lakh. Famous singers and dancers of Gujarati folk music have been invited at a cost of crores of rupees, he continued.
“Nilesh Gadhvi, a famous singer, charges a fee of around Rs 2 crore during Navratri. Famous singers Kavita Ram, Sagar Kendurkar, Madhavi Srivastava, Anshika Chonkar are performing. The daily fee of these artistes is around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. A total of Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore has been spent on music and singers. The organisers spend Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh daily on various flower arrangements at the pavilion. Maharashtra state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan spends Rs 1 to Rs 1.5 crore daily and the total budget is in the range of Rs 18 to 20 crore,” Congress spokesperson alleged.
Londhe stated that not only state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan, but also BJP’s minister Ashish Shelar and BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar have also organised Garba events where crores of rupees are being spent every day.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to celebrate festivals in a simple manner keeping the drought in mind, but BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, ministers and MLAs have ignored the Chief Minister's appeal. BJP ministers and MLAs in the government, which announced only Rs 5,000 as aid to drought-affected farmers, are squandering Rs 10 to Rs 15 crores everyday on Navratri and Garba events,” Congress spokesperson added.
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