Mumbai: Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of opposition blamed state government is trying to prove suicide of Madhavrao Raote from Savaleshwar in Yeotmal district as an accident. He visited and met family of Raote, Shankar Chayare of Rajurwadi and Prakash Mangaonkar of Titawi who had recently committed suicide.
Raote committed suicide as did not received government aid as his cotton crop was ruined by pink bollworm. Vikhe-Patil blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena government is hiding facts, it is responsible for the death of farmers and the government must hold responsible for the suicide of farmers. Vikhe-Patil said, even though the people of the district has voted five out of seven legislators of the ruling BJP, the government is acting against the interest of the state.
He demanded to register First Information Report (FIR) against revenue officials from Umarkhed and the state government under section 302 of Indian Penal Code and attempt to hide evidence. Vikhe-Patil handed over cheque of Rs one lakh to the son of Raote as a token support from the Congress party.