Nagpur: MPCC president Nana Patole launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's govt for betraying the farming community on promises of doubling their income and providing minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
Addressing a rally in support of Congress-MVA candidate Mahesh Ganganne at Akot on Tuesday, Patole assured the people that if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comes to power, it would prioritise debt waivers, fair crop prices, and various pro-farmer initiatives.
The MPCC chief flayed the Modi government for its alleged failure to double farmers' incomes and provide sufficient prices for their produce. "In 2014, Modi promised prosperity for farmers, but instead, input costs rose, and farmers were forced to sell crops like soyabean, onions, and cotton at prices below the MSP. The BJP has no right to seek votes from farmers," he said, underscoring that MVA's previous administration implemented comprehensive loan waivers and will revive similar programmes if elected.
The Sakoli MLA outlined the MVA's vision, including a commitment to complete the river-linking projects in Maharashtra, a proposal initially championed by former Congress chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh but left unfulfilled by successive BJP and Mahayuti governments. "The MVA govt will revive the project and address water distribution issues once it comes to power again."
Patole criticised the BJP's divisive electoral strategies, alleging that the party resorts to Hindu-Muslim polarisation during election season to garner votes. He contended that the BJP's approach to governance often involves pitting different communities against each other. In contrast, Patole highlighted the Congress's legacy of unity, noting that former leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made sacrifices for the country's integrity, while ‘today's BJP only seeks to divide and rule'.
The MPCC chief also took a sharp dig at Modi's leadership, calling him "the weakest PM India has seen", accusing the BJP of failing to protect women and children in Maharashtra. Patole cited recent cases, including instances of crimes against women and children, as indicative of a larger law-and-order problem under BJP governance. He also raised concerns about missing women in Maharashtra, pointing to a report of 67,000 women being unaccounted for.
Patole urged voters to support the MVA to ensure a stable, welfare-oriented government in Maharashtra. He emphasised that Congress, along with its MVA allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), remains committed to the welfare of farmers, women, and marginalised communities. "The BJP has had years to deliver, but it has only brought division and hardship," he declared, calling on citizens to make their voices heard on Election Day.