A row is erupted over remarks reportedly made by the Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari yesterday on a strike called by farmers today.
Bhandari reportedly said the state government "stands to lose nothing" even if farmers proceeded on the strike.
A section of farmers from Ahmednagar district have called the strike, threatening to stop supply of milk, fruits, poultry and vegetables to Mumbai and other cities, to press for their various demands.
Bhandari reportedly said the government will remain unnerved even if farmers go ahead with their plan.
"It doesn't matter if farmers go on a strike. Storing grains and not selling them will only cause losses to them. The government will not lose anything," he purportedly said.
Taking exception to Bhandari's comments, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Sachin Sawant today said they reflect the ruling BJP's "anti-farmer" stand.
"Farmers are going on a strike today as they are in a situation in which they have never been before. Even if the BJP doesn't need farmers, the country needs them. The whole of Maharashtra belongs to them," he said.
Sawant said farmers are increasingly opposing the BJP's 'Samvad Yatra', which shows that BJP is nearing its end.
"Farmers will show the BJP that they don't need them. We condemn the statement made by the BJP leader," Sawant said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)