Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule on 17 October launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government, calling its announced drought relief of ₹5,000 per farmer a 'mockery' of the farming community. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Sule argued that the aid falls far short of what drought-stricken farmers across the state urgently need.

The Pending Dues and Relief Demand

Under the state's 'Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi' scheme — modelled on the Centre's PM-KISAN framework — farmers are entitled to ₹6,000 annually. The last instalment under this scheme was credited to beneficiary accounts on 13 January 2026. However, Sule alleged that the government has yet to disburse the previous ₹4,000 owed for the current financial year, calling the delay a 'grave injustice.'

Citing a letter written by Sharad Pawar, she demanded that farmers receive direct compensation of ₹1 lakh per hectare. She further insisted that the pending ₹4,000 and the newly announced ₹5,000 — totalling at least ₹9,000 — be credited to farmers' accounts without further delay.

Treasury Claim vs. Ministerial Spending

Sule highlighted what she described as a glaring contradiction in the government's position. While officials have cited an empty state treasury as the reason for delayed farmer payments, she pointed out that new luxury vehicles worth ₹18 crore have reportedly been purchased for ministers. 'The government claims the treasury is empty when it comes to helping farmers, yet new luxury cars worth ₹18 crore are being bought for ministers,' she said.

Voter Roll Discrepancies in Baramati

Sule also raised serious concerns about voter data anomalies in her own Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. She stated that the voter count had dropped sharply from 25 lakh to 19 lakh — a reduction of 6 lakh voters. In the Khadakwasla Assembly segment, she alleged the count fell from 5 lakh to 2.5 lakh, after 50,000 voters were allegedly added artificially and then 2.5 lakh were removed. 'Who are these missing voters, and why is the Election Commission hiding this information?' she demanded, adding that she has called for an inquiry into her own constituency.

Anti-Superstition Act and FCRA Concerns

Broadening her attack, Sule demanded that Chief Minister take immediate legal action against any cabinet minister openly promoting superstition, calling it a 'serious offence' under the Anti-Superstition Act. She also raised questions about the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) mechanism, noting her membership on the Joint Parliamentary Committee on FCRA and stating that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had dismissed four of its own senior officers over malpractices within the FCRA framework.

No Diwali Celebrations in Baramati This Year

On a personal note, Sule announced that the Pawar family would not observe any Diwali festivities this year, following what she described as the tragic loss of a 'key pillar and brother of the family,' Ajit Pawar. 'On one hand, we have suffered a massive personal loss, and on the other hand, the farmers and hardworking masses to whom we owe our existence are burning in the fires of drought and inflation,' she said, adding that neither political Padwa nor Diwali would be celebrated in Baramati this year.

With the Maharashtra government facing mounting pressure over drought relief, the coming days will test whether it moves to credit the pending dues before the festive season ends.