Totally wrong, says CM Fadnavis after BJP MLA's claim suggesting people living of govt & PM's largesse
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Babanrao Lonikar, former state minister and BJP MLA from Jalna's Partur, sparked fresh controversy on Wednesday after a video captured during his speech at a public function showed him criticising local youths for targeting state govt on social media platforms.
In the video, Lonikar can be heard saying: "Prime Minister Modi gave your father Rs 6,000 (annually) for agriculture sowing. Money from the Ladki Bahin scheme came in the name of your mother, your sister, and your wife. The clothes you wear are given by our govt. The shoes or slippers on your feet are because of us. Even the mobile phones in your hands are because of us. You take all from us and still talk against us."
Lonikar's remarks placed BJP-led Mahayuti govt under pressure, prompting chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
to reprimand the MLA.
Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai, "Lonikar's comments, as seen in the video, are completely wrong, even if they were aimed at a section of people. He should not have made such a statement at a time when PM Modi calls himself pradhan sevak and we all are following the idea."
Opposition politicians swiftly condemned Lonikar's statements. Ambadas Danve, the leader of opposition in the state legislative council, called Lonikar's remarks an "Indian-version of British-era mentality" and added: "This language is not good in a democracy.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Lonikar must not forget that he is an MLA and enjoys leadership because of the people from his constituency. People will not forgive him for his arrogance.
"
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal called the comments "disgusting" and demanded Lonikar's expulsion from BJP. Sapkal said, "Lonikar has insulted the food giver of the world. His comments are the height of perversion. He must apologise or face serious consequences."
Lonikar did not respond to calls and messages seeking his position on the matter. This incident follows a recent controversy where he warned villages with fewer votes of withholding their development funds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Third bureaucratic rejig by BJP govt, senior IAS officers get new postings
In its third bureaucratic rejig since it came to power, the BJP-led Delhi Government on Thursday transferred and posted seven senior IAS officers in key roles. Additional Chief Secretary (Finance and Revenue) Ashish Chandra Verma, who will be relieved on June 30, will be replaced by Bipul Pathak as the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance and Planning). Pathak, a 1992-batch IAS officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, currently helms the Department of Industries. He also holds the additional charge of the Environment and Forest departments. Prashant Goyal, a 1993-batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre – currently Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) with additional charges of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) – has been posted as Financial Commissioner with immediate effect from July 1. His posting follows the retirement of IAS officer Chetan B Sanghi. As part of the reshuffle, IAS officer Sandeep Kumar of the 1997 batch, who has been transferred to Delhi from Lakshadweep, will now be posted as Principal Secretary (Vigilance). He has also been given the additional charge of the Administrative Reforms, Environment and Forest departments. Pandurang K Pole, Secretary (Higher Education) and Department of Training and Technical Education (TTE), will hold additional charge of Secretary (Urban Development) from July 1. Apart from this, IAS officer Neduchezhiyan has been posted as Principal Director (Delhi Fire Services), while Arun Kumar Mishra has been placed at the disposal of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Sunil Anchipaka has been posted as Special Commissioner (Trade and Taxes).
Hans India
33 minutes ago
- Hans India
AP Space Policy 4.0 targets Rs. 25,000 crore investment
Vijayawada: In a quantum leap towards positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of India's space sector that is now primed for commercial ventures, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to finalise the Andhra Pradesh Space Policy 4.0, with the goal of attracting ₹25,000 crore in investments. The policy also aims at generating direct employment for 5,000 people and indirect opportunities for nearly 30,000 people. The Chief Minister has approved the development of Space Cities in Lepakshi and Tirupati, while laying out strategic goals for the sector from 2025 to 2035. During a review held at the Undavalli camp office on Thursday, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to involve educational institutions to engage students and spark interest in space technologies. Naidu directed the establishment of a Technical Committee and the provision of common infrastructure based on a plug-and-play model. The leading firms in communication technology have been offered opportunities to invest in the state in this regard. The Chief Minister further highlighted that the integration of electronics, space, aerospace, defence, and drone technologies was key to the state's broader innovation strategy. Joining the meeting via video conference, Space Technology Advisor to the Government of AP and former ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath highlighted that the Government of India was launching several key projects under the Space Vision Policy-2047. He underlined the role of private players, such as Starlink, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, in transforming the sector globally, and echoed that the future undoubtedly belongs to space. The Chief Minister instructed officials to offer more competitive incentives for investment proposals, ranging from Rs 1-2.5 cr to over Rs 500 cr, to attract companies to invest in the state's space sector. Investment categories have been classified as follows: Micro (Rs 1-2.5 cr), Small (Rs 2.5-Rs25 cr), Medium (Rs25- Rs125cCr), Large (Rs125-Rs500 cr), and Mega (Rs 500+ cr). Proposals to provide subsidies ranging from 25 per cent to 45 per cent, with special incentives for women, BC, SC, ST, minority, and differently abled entrepreneurs are under discussion. The new policy envisions two dedicated space cities: Lepakshi Space City, spread across 500 acres, will focus on design and development. It will house institutions for R&D, space startups, innovation ecosystems, and services related to space applications. Tirupati Space City will serve as a hub for manufacturing and launch logistics. Facilities planned include launch vehicle assembly, satellite and payload assembly, mechanical system component manufacturing, and electronics-avionics assembly. Its proximity to Chennai and Sriharikota, along with Lepakshi's closeness to Bengaluru, offers strategic geographical advantages. The Chief Minister also proposed road connectivity from Tirupati Space City to Sriharikota. India currently holds just 2 per cent of the global space economy. The target is to attract $44 billion in space investments by 2033. India's Space Policy-2023 allows 100% FDI in the sector. Under the India Space Vision-2047, goals include satellite manufacturing, remote sensing satellite launches, Chandrayaan 4, Venus Orbiter Mission, Mars Lander Mission, human spaceflight programs including space stations, next-gen launch vehicles (NGLVs), and a third launch pad at Sriharikota. In alignment with these national ambitions, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is shaping its 'Andhra Pradesh Space Policy 4.0' to fuel innovation, generate employment, and make the state a pivotal force in the future of space exploration.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tata Plans ₹500cr Trust for Families of Crash Victims
Tata Sons , the holding company of the Tata Group, has sought board approvals to set up a trust that will extend financial support to the families of the victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. At an interim board meeting Thursday, chairman N Chandrasekaran apprised the board of the proposed trust structure, multiple sources told ET. Approvals have been sought for an estimated ₹500-crore allocation to the entity, said one of the sources cited above. Tata Sons had earlier considered setting up separate trusts — one for families of Indians and the other for foreign nationals who died in the crash. According to sources, the funds will be used for compensation payouts to the families of the 271 victims, medical care, and renovation of the affected medical school, where several facilities were gutted by the smouldering fuselage of the ill-fated aircraft that fell from the skies moments after take-off. The rest of the corpus will be earmarked for the long-term needs of the affected families. The trust, which is expected to be registered soon, will support both Indian citizens and foreign nationals, including several British passengers on board the flight. The initiative is being led by PB Balaji, group CFO of Tata Motors, who brings extensive experience in regulatory, financial, and corporate governance matters. The trust will also include individuals from outside the Tata Group to ensure robust governance and compliance, sources said. Tata Trusts is also likely to contribute to the fund. The board meeting was attended by Tata Trust nominees Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh. There are significant legal complexities related to claims from the crash, sources added. Tata Sons did not comment. PB Balaji is overseeing the framework and implementation of the trusts to ensure they remain compliant, transparent, and sensitive to the specific legal and cultural contexts of the affected families. The trust will be structured to provide sustained financial support to immediate family members, covering essentials such as children's education, healthcare, and daily living expenses. This goes beyond a one-time ex-gratia payment. The approach echoes the Tata Group's response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, when a trust was set up to offer long-term financial and emotional support to employees and their families of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, operated by the Tata-owned Indian Hotels Company Ltd.
