Nagpur: The BJP will launch ‘halla bol’ agitation against Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Friday for its failure to grant concession in power bills and its recent statements to snap electric supply of farmers, who defaulted on the dues.
The saffron party legislators and activists led by leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis would be staging protests across all constituencies in Maharashtra from 10am to 12 noon.
Quoting energy minister Nitin Raut, the BJP leaders said he had assured to waive of charges till 100 units for consumers per month in wake of Covid-19 pandemic. However, the cabinet led by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had thrown his proposal in the dustbin and disappointed all the citizens who were hoping for some solace from the government, city BJP chief Pravin Datke said in a press meet.
Accompanied by city’s top BJP leaders, Datke said they were protesting against exorbitant power bills since March last year through various agitations like ‘Bhik Mango’ and ‘Nagara Bajao’ and also gheraoed Raut’s home over their demands. “The protests are basically organized to wake the CM and minister concerned from slumber, as they’re planning to snap power supply of poor farmers amid the pandemic,” he said.
Fadnavis, who spoke to the media at his city residence, said about 78 lakh farmers were issued notices by the MVA government for disconnecting their power supply for defaulting on their dues. “This seems to be a Mughal government which has failed to help the farmers, who’re in dire straits due to incessant rains. They’re staring at big losses, but we are firmly with the farmers till they get relief.”
Earlier, the southwest Nagpur MLA said there was an international conspiracy to defame the nation and create unrest as international celebrities and climate change activists were increasingly supporting protesting farmers at Delhi. He added that the government shouldn’t have granted permission for Elgar Parishad’s event at Pune as it had prior knowledge that objectionable remarks would be made there.
Former minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will staging protests at 9am at Koradi Super Thermal Power Station with his supporters.