Latest news with #Lonikar
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP MLA Lonikar faces flak for his remarks against farmers
Mumbai Maharashtra BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar triggered a political storm on Thursday with controversial remarks suggesting farmers should not criticise the government because they have benefitted from various welfare schemes. Speaking at an event for the Har Ghar Solar scheme in Partur, Jalna district, Mr. Lonikar said: '[Prime Minister] Modi gave ₹6,000 for sowing, the State gives the rest. We give salaries to mothers, pensions to fathers, and our sisters and daughters benefit from the Ladki Bahin scheme. We have given them clothes, shoes, phones, yet people keep criticising us.' The comments were widely condemned as condescending and arrogant. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis distanced the party from the remarks, saying, 'The statement was wrong. Prime Minister Modi calls himself the pradhan sevak. We are public servants, not masters.' Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule echoed the sentiment, saying, 'Once we take votes, we become public servants. No one has the right to speak like this'. 'Arrogance of power' A video clip of Mr. Lonikar's speech quickly went viral on social media, drawing flak from the Opposition, which termed the remarks 'tasteless' and against democracy. 'This is nothing but the arrogance of power. We start doing the math and see what your government has given and taken back,' said farmers' leader and former MP Raju Shetti, alleging that Mr. Modi has also given eight farmer suicides a day. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav took a swipe, saying, 'Before 2014, he had no clothes or footwear. Apparently, he got everything after Modi came to power.' His party colleague MLC Ambadas Danve called Mr. Lonikar an 'indigenous version of the British'. Facing backlash, Mr. Lonikar later issued an apology. 'I was referring to a few individuals, not all farmers. My words are being misused. Still, I apologise to all farmers,' he said.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Wrong, says CM as BJP MLA says ‘govt has given people all'
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ex-state minister and BJP MLA from Partur in Jalna district, Babanrao Lonikar, stoked a controversy as a video of his speech at a public function on Wednesday showed him claiming people were at the mercy of the "govt and PM's largesse". The comments prompted CM Devendra Fadnavis to reprimand the MLA and to describe his claim as "totally wrong." Lonikar was heard saying in the video, "PM Modi gave your father Rs 6,000 (annually) for sowing. Money from 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." He was apparently venting his ire against some local youth for targeting the state govt on social media. CM Fadnavis told mediapersons in Mumbai, "Lonikar's comments 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." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The opposition trained its guns on Lonikar, a fifth-term MLA, terming his rermarks an "Indian version of British-era mentality." Lonikar did not respond to calls and messages seeking his stand. Recently, he had courted controversy after he warned villages, where he had received fewer votes, that development funds would be withheld.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'You Own Clothes, Shoes, Phones Because Of Us': BJP MLA's Remarks Spark Row
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In controversial remarks, Maharashtra BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar told a gathering that people who criticise his party and government should know they are getting "clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us". Speaking at a function on 'Har Ghar Solar' scheme in his assembly constituency Partur in Jalna district of central Maharashtra, the former state minister highlighted the BJP-led government's welfare schemes and development work, and went on to berate the critics of his party. A video of Lonikar's controversial remarks surfaced on social media on Thursday and invited strong criticism from the opposition. सोशल मीडियावर आपल्या विरोधात व्यक्त होणाऱ्या तरुणांविषयी भाजपचे आमदार @BabanraoLonikar बघा कसे बोलत आहेत ! ही या लोकांची भाषा, त्यांचा अहंकार, त्यांची संस्कृती आहे ! आमदार महोदय, तुमचे शेठ जो २५ लाखांचा सूट घालतात तो सामान्य जनतेमुळे मिळाला आहे, लाखो रुपयांचा गॉगल घालतात ती… — Adv Rohini Eknathrao Khadse (@Rohini_khadse) June 26, 2025 "There are a few people and especially the youth who criticize us and our party on social media platforms. We gave overhead water tanks, concrete roads, function halls and benefits of various government schemes in your village," he is heard telling the gathering. "Babanrao Lonikar gave salaries to mothers of those who criticize us and also sanctioned pension for their fathers. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi gave Rs 6,000 to your father for sowing (a reference to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi). Your sister is benefiting from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The clothes, shoes, mobile phones that you (BJP critics) have is because of us," the MLA is heard saying in the video. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve hit out at the BJP legislator for his tasteless remarks and dubbed him as an "indigenous version of the British". Speaking such a language is not good in a democracy, he noted. "Your MLA status is because of the people. Your clothes, shoes, air tickets, leadership position, diesel in (your) car is also because of the people," Danve wrote on X while hitting out at the ruling party lawmaker. "People should remember these words (of Lonikar). Elections (of local bodies in the state) are coming," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further said.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
'You have clothes, shoes, mobile phones because of us': BJP MLA sparks row with remarks
In controversial remarks, Maharashtra BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar told a gathering that people who criticise his party and government should know they are getting "clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us". Speaking at a function on 'Har Ghar Solar' scheme in his assembly constituency Partur in Jalna district of central Maharashtra, the former State minister highlighted the BJP-led government's welfare schemes and development work, and went on to berate the critics of his party. A video of Mr. Lonikar's controversial remarks surfaced on social media on Thursday (June 26, 2025) and invited strong criticism from the opposition. "There are a few people and especially the youth who criticize us and our party on social media platforms. We gave overhead water tanks, concrete roads, function halls and benefits of various government schemes in your village," he is heard telling the gathering. "Babanrao Lonikar gave salaries to mothers of those who criticize us and also sanctioned pension for their fathers. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi gave ₹6,000 to your father for sowing (a reference to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi). Your sister is benefiting from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The clothes, shoes, mobile phones that you (BJP critics) have is because of us," the MLA is heard saying in the video. Opposition hits out Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve hit out at the BJP legislator for his tasteless remarks and dubbed him as an "indigenous version of the British". Speaking such a language is not good in a democracy, he noted. "Your MLA status is because of the people. Your clothes, shoes, air tickets, leadership position, diesel in (your) car is also because of the people," Mr. Danve wrote on X while hitting out at the ruling party lawmaker. "People should remember these words (of Lonikar). Elections (of local bodies in the state) are coming," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further said.
