Storm in Assembly over BJP MLA Lonikar's farmer remark; MVA demands apology
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Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar led the charge, stating, "How can an elected representative make such demeaning comments about farmers? This is an insult to the entire farming community. He must apologise on the floor of the House."
Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray and other opposition leaders echoed the demand, calling Lonikar's remarks unacceptable and insensitive.
In his defence, Lonikar denied the allegations.
"What is being circulated is not what I said. I am being misquoted. There is politics behind this outrage," he said. However, his clarification failed to pacify the opposition.
As protests intensified, the House echoed with slogans such as "Mafi mango, shetkaryanchi mafi mango (Tender apology to farmers)," disrupting the proceedings. Speaker Rahul Narwekar attempted to restore order but was eventually forced to adjourn the session for ten minutes.
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Opposition leaders maintained that this was not an isolated incident, pointing to previous controversial statements made by BJP leaders regarding farmers. "The government has failed to provide MSP or loan waivers, and now their leaders insult farmers. This is unacceptable," they said.
The episode further deepened the ongoing rift between the opposition and the treasury benches over agrarian distress in the state.
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