Opposition protests over Maharashtra govt's failure to tackle drought

Mumbai: A united Opposition today staged a noisy sit-in protest on the steps of Vidhan Bhawan, against the “failure” of the Maharashtra government to tackle severe drought conditions and allegations of irregularities against ministers. [caption id=“attachment_2665098” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] Several prominent opposition leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and many ex-ministers joined in the protest, with some NCP MLAs also holding ‘symbolic funeral rites’ of the Devendra Fadnavis government. The protesters held banners seeking total loan waiver for farmers and immediate steps to provide relief to drought-hit regions. Some banners also sought resignation of state Education Minister Vinod Tawde, alleging that the minister had violated the model code of conduct for ministers set by the government. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde said, “We will continue to press our demands on these issues in the budget session and will also raise drought, law and order situation in the state and failure of ‘Make in India’ event.” Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, the LoP in the state Assembly, said that the Devendra Fadnavis government has failed to resolve the drought situation. Farmers need immediate help as unseasonal rains and hailstorms in parts of North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha have ruined Rabi crops. The budget session of state Legislature began here yesterday, with the Governor’s address. The budget will be tabled on 18 March. PTI