Mumbai, March 16 (NationPress) Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar confronted the Mahayuti government on Monday, asserting that the budgetary allocations favor ruling alliance MLAs while opposition legislators are systematically ignored. During a debate on the departmental budget in the state Assembly, Wadettiwar highlighted that funding for road infrastructure in ruling party constituencies starkly contrasts with the complete absence of support for opposition areas.

“Is this the essence of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’?” he questioned.

He pointed out that while roads in ruling MLAs’ areas are being upgraded, those outside their constituencies fall into disrepair, leaving citizens to contend with pothole-laden roads.

Wadettiwar demanded that opposition MLAs be included in the funding distribution to ensure they receive their rightful share.

Additionally, he noted the poor state of roads statewide, exacerbated by contractors not receiving their dues. With outstanding bills reaching Rs 62,000 crore, contractors are poised to initiate a strike from April 6.

He also raised alarms regarding an alleged Rs 250 crore QR code scam in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where contractors reportedly embezzled large sums using QR codes while failing to complete the necessary work.

“Are the ministers even aware of this?” he queried.

Wadettiwar criticized the handling of the Tribal Development Department, alleging that funds meant for tribal welfare are being misappropriated for the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. He stated, “Tribal children have been deprived of funds for uniforms for an entire year, with orders only placed at the end of March. Out of the Rs 4,349 crore earmarked for tribal development, a shocking Rs 3,416 crore has been redirected to this scheme. This is a gross injustice against tribal children.”

He accused the government of stifling educational institutions out of political vendettas, citing the case of Nitesh Karale’s Phoenix Career Development Academy, which was shuttered following Karale's campaign against a tribal minister’s daughter.

“Is this a democracy or a dictatorship?” he challenged, condemning the shameful practice of forcing students in tribal hostels to clean toilets.

Wadettiwar also lambasted the BJP for reneging on its 2014 commitment to establish a separate Vidarbha state, pointing to the government’s intention to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for a new Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur. He asserted that if the project is projected for completion by 2028, it indicates the government’s lack of genuine interest in creating a separate Vidarbha, contradicting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of “smaller states.”

He further criticized the exploitation of workers in Maharashtra’s cement industry, where wages are significantly lower than those in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Referring to the preparations for the Kumbh Mela, he alleged that numerous projects have been marred by substandard work, claiming that while the Divisional Commissioner is trying to take action, ministers are protecting the implicated engineers.