States » WestPosted at: Oct 17 2026 10:48PM


Maha: Cong slams BJP over lavish Garba events amid drought

Nagpur, Oct 17 (UNI) Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe on Saturday criticised the BJP for organising lavish Garba events amid drought-like conditions and farmers’ distress in the state, alleging that crores of rupees were being spent on festivities while affected farmers were receiving only Rs 5,000 in financial assistance.
Addressing a press conference here, Londhe said 305 talukas in Maharashtra were facing drought-like conditions, with farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods and livestock facing a shortage of fodder.
He said rising inflation had added to the hardships of ordinary people, many of whom were struggling to afford drinking water, educational expenses and preparations for the upcoming Diwali festival.
Londhe alleged that the BJP's 'Namo Namo Navratri' festival in Dombivli involved expenditure running into crores of rupees, with the daily spending estimated at Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore and the overall budget ranging between Rs 18 crore and Rs 20 crore.
He said the event featured an air-conditioned pavilion, elaborate lighting, decorative arches and performances by renowned singers and dancers, with the expenditure on music and performers alone estimated at Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore.
Questioning the extravagance amid the prevailing situation, Londhe said the Congress had no objection to religious worship but maintained that celebrations should be conducted with greater restraint when farmers and economically weaker sections were facing severe hardships.
He alleged that BJP leaders were disregarding Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's appeal for people to celebrate festivals simply in view of the drought situation.
Londhe also named BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, minister Ashish Shelar, MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, former MP Gopal Shetty and MLAs Sanjay Upadhyay and Vinod Shelar, alleging that they had incurred substantial expenditure on Garba events.
He questioned whether the money spent on the celebrations could instead have been used to provide relief to distressed farmers and asked whether Fadnavis would take action against those responsible.
The Congress spokesperson also questioned whether the chief minister would seek the resignations of Chavan and Shelar over the alleged extravagance.
Londhe further urged BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Shelar to visit drought-affected farmers and assess their problems instead of remaining occupied with election campaigning.
He said political leaders should demonstrate greater sensitivity towards farmers, particularly in drought-hit regions such as Marathwada, where agricultural distress continues to pose a serious challenge.
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