Mumbai, Feb 22 (NationPress) Leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhaskar Jadhav, and Aaditya Thackeray, collectively decided on Sunday to boycott the traditional tea meeting organized by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the eve of the upcoming Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislature, set to commence on Monday.

The opposition representatives stated that their choice to abstain from this customary gathering is a form of protest against alleged corruption within the government, indifference towards farmers, and the unfulfilled electoral promise of increasing monthly financial support under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Senior Congress leader Wadettiwar also questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati, demanding transparency from the government regarding whether it was an accident or involved foul play.

“The BJP once posed the question, ‘Where have you taken Maharashtra?’ Today, we echo that sentiment — where does Maharashtra stand now? What is the state of our farmers and ordinary citizens? The state is currently plagued by drug issues, compelling us to inquire about Maharashtra's state of affairs,” Wadettiwar asserted.

Regarding the alleged plane crash incident, he stated, “The sitting Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, reportedly died in a plane crash. The government has only provided a brief explanation and instructed that no one should question the incident. Why should we remain silent? There is nationwide discourse questioning whether this was merely an accident or something more sinister. In light of this, how can we justify attending the tea meeting before the session?”

Wadettiwar further criticized the government's agricultural strategies, claiming that their decisions have had a detrimental effect on farmers. He asserted that recent agreements have negatively impacted soybean and cotton producers, leading to a significant decrease in cotton procurement. He also pointed out that while the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize is set at Rs 2,400, farmers in Maharashtra are receiving only between Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,600.

He highlighted the distress among farmers, indicating that 22 farmers have taken their own lives in Yavatmal within a month and 76 in the Marathwada region. “This government shows no concern for farmers. The ruling authorities are apathetic to their suffering. Thus, we have resolved to boycott the tea meeting of this anti-farmer government,” Wadettiwar asserted.

Bhaskar Jadhav, legislative party leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed that the public is skeptical about the circumstances of Ajit Pawar’s reported death. “The government's stance remains ambiguous. A senior and respected leader has lost his life, yet the Maharashtra government has not provided sufficient information,” he reiterated, confirming the MVA's decision to boycott the tea meeting.

Notably, no legislator from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) was present at the initial press conference. However, Jadhav stated that the opposition alliance remains cohesive, attributing the absence of NCP leaders to a “communication gap.” Eventually, former NCP (SP) legislator Milind Kamble joined the press conference before it concluded.

Jadhav also remarked that the government has become “arrogant” due to its overwhelming majority, neglecting critical issues such as farmer suicides and uncertainties regarding the reported plane crash involving Ajit Pawar.

Addressing the Ladki Bahin Yojana, Jadhav claimed the government gained electoral backing by pledging financial assistance to women but is now using the state's debt situation to restrict the scheme's benefits. “We want to emphasize that our ‘beloved sisters’ are not to blame for the state’s financial troubles,” he stated.

He further condemned the Re 1 crop insurance scheme, alleging it has failed to provide any real benefit to farmers. Jadhav accused the government of corruption, referencing recent actions by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

“The personal assistant of NCP Minister Narhari Zirwal was arrested, yet the minister has not stepped down,” Jadhav noted. He also claimed that no action has been taken regarding a drug factory connected to individuals close to a senior minister. He added that the MVA has decided to boycott the tea meeting due to the government's inaction against Ministers Sanjay Shirsat and Yogesh Kadam, despite serious allegations against them.

Jadhav criticized the government for recent power tariff hikes, stating that the increases contradict previous promises of relief for consumers.

Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the government regarding infrastructure safety and governance matters. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presents himself as an ‘Infra-man’, yet incidents like a metro slab collapse in Mulund have raised significant safety concerns. Citizens are questioning the safety of the city’s infrastructure,” he remarked. He also raised issues regarding pedestrian safety and alleged that the Assembly Speaker has been exerting pressure on opposition members.

Satej Patil, leader of the Congress Legislative Council, opposed the proposed Rs 86,000 crore Shaktipeeth Highway project, alleging land surveys are being conducted despite farmer opposition. He claimed that farmers in Parbhani have faced violence and asserted that the project is being advanced to benefit contractors.

Commenting on the ACB raid at Minister Zirwal’s office, Patil stated, “Such actions raise critical questions. If the ACB operates independently, it is a positive development, but the government needs to clarify its position.”