States » WestPosted at: Sep 22 2026 5:49PM


BJP spokesperson Ban asks Raut to give Rs 40,000 crore to drought-hit farmers

Mumbai, Sep 22 (UNI) BJP Maharashtra chief spokesperson Navnath Ban on Tuesday alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had collected Rs 90,000 crore during its two-and-a-half-year tenure during the COVID-19 period, and challenged Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut to announce that Rs 40,000 crore from the amount would be given to drought-affected farmers in Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Ban was responding to Raut's demand that expenditure on the Kumbh Mela be reduced and the funds be diverted to drought-hit farmers.
Ban said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday was being observed through various service-oriented programmes across the country.
He alleged that Raut and the Shiv Sena (UBT) had raised objections to expenditure related to the Kumbh Mela and other programmes, while not raising similar objections to expenditure associated with other religious events.
He also criticised former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over the conduct of cabinet meetings, saying that cabinet meetings could not be compared with a cricket match and alleged that meetings were held online from home during the previous government.
Ban said the government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take concrete decisions for farmers. He said the government had announced a farm loan waiver without an impending election and that the first instalment had already been distributed.
"There are drought-like conditions in several parts of Marathwada, Vidarbha, Solapur and north Maharashtra. We are reaching out to farmers and extending support," Ban said.
He also criticised NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar over irrigation policies, alleging that adequate measures had not been taken during his tenure as chief minister to address water-related issues.
On national security, Ban said India had adopted a policy of responding firmly to terrorist activities from Pakistan and asked Raut to examine the foreign policy pursued during previous Congress-led governments.
Ban also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Raut, alleging that both frequently resorted to imitation and theatrics instead of raising substantive issues concerning farmers and students.
Commenting on NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, Ban said Pawar should focus on his party rather than raising concerns about news portals, adding that the government was capable of dealing with such matters.
He further alleged that farmers associated with Pawar's sugar factory had faced difficulties over payments and said Pawar should first clear any outstanding dues before raising questions about issues concerning other farmers.
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