Latest news with #Lonikar
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Storm in Assembly over BJP MLA Lonikar's farmer remark; MVA demands apology
Nagpur: The Maharashtra legislative assembly witnessed heated debate on Wednesday over alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar about farmers. The comments sparked strong reactions from the opposition, with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MLAs demanding an unconditional apology from the former minister, accusing him of insulting those who "feed the nation. " Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar led the charge, stating, "How can an elected representative make such demeaning comments about farmers? This is an insult to the entire farming community. He must apologise on the floor of the House." Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray and other opposition leaders echoed the demand, calling Lonikar's remarks unacceptable and insensitive. In his defence, Lonikar denied the allegations. "What is being circulated is not what I said. I am being misquoted. There is politics behind this outrage," he said. However, his clarification failed to pacify the opposition. As protests intensified, the House echoed with slogans such as "Mafi mango, shetkaryanchi mafi mango (Tender apology to farmers)," disrupting the proceedings. Speaker Rahul Narwekar attempted to restore order but was eventually forced to adjourn the session for ten minutes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Opposition leaders maintained that this was not an isolated incident, pointing to previous controversial statements made by BJP leaders regarding farmers. "The government has failed to provide MSP or loan waivers, and now their leaders insult farmers. This is unacceptable," they said. The episode further deepened the ongoing rift between the opposition and the treasury benches over agrarian distress in the state.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nana Patole slams BJP, defends farmers after suspension from assembly
Nagpur: Senior Congress leader launched a strong attack on former minister Babanrao Lonikar and Prime Minister Narendra on Tuesday over recent remarks perceived as insulting to farmers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Patole stated, "Modi may be the messiah of BJP and Lonikar, but he cannot be the messiah of farmers." The former MPCC president was on Tuesday suspended for one day from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for addressing farmer issues. He made the statement outside the House, asserting he had no regrets. "I threw away my Lok Sabha membership for farmers. What is a one-day suspension? I'm ready to give up my MLA post and even my life if it helps farmers," Patole told TOI. He added that he would continue to rake up many issues related to the farmers in Maharashtra and particularly in Vidarbha daily in the session and continue to fight to ensure justice to them. "This BJP-led govt has forgotten its election promise to wave off farmers loans," he said. The controversy arose from a recent comment by Lonikar, who claimed that Modi provides everything to farmers, including money for sowing, clothes, and mobile phones. Patole mocked the statement. Patole, the Sakoli MLA, further accused the ruling BJP of being fundamentally anti-farmer. "Agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate has repeatedly disrespected farmers — first by comparing them to beggars, then by advising them to use debt relief funds for their children's weddings," he said. "These people came to power promising loan waivers, minimum support prices, and 24-hour free electricity. Today, they insult the very people they promised to serve. This is arrogance of power," Patole added, demanding public apologies from both Lonikar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for their party's treatment of farmers. Despite the suspension from the Assembly, Patole remained defiant. "They can try to silence me as much as they want, but I will not back down from fighting for farmers," he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Modi gave your dad Rs 6,000': BJP MLA under fire for saying govt gave youths everything from phones to slippers; Fadnavis responds
BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar from Partur in Jalna and a former Maharashtra minister, has stirred controversy after a video of his speech went viral. In the video, he criticised local youths for speaking against the government on social media despite benefiting from various welfare schemes . What Did Lonikar Say? Speaking at a public event, Lonikar said, "Prime Minister Modi gave your father Rs 6,000 every year for farming. Your mother, sister, and wife got money through the Ladki Bahin scheme. The clothes you wear, the shoes on your feet, and even the mobile phones in your hands, all of these are because of our government. Yet you speak against us?" BJP Faces Backlash His comments have put the BJP-led Mahayuti government in an uncomfortable position. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis criticised the MLA, saying, "Such remarks are wrong, even if aimed at a specific group. When PM Modi calls himself a pradhan sevak, all of us should follow that spirit." Opposition Hits Out Opposition leaders were quick to respond. Leader of the Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve said, "Lonikar's words reflect a British-era mindset. In a democracy, such arrogance is unacceptable." Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal went further, calling the remarks "disgusting" and demanded Lonikar's expulsion from the party. Live Events No Response from Lonikar Lonikar has yet to comment on the matter. This is not his first controversial remark, earlier, he threatened to deny development funds to villages that did not vote in large numbers. Inputs from TOI
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
After backlash, BJP reprimands former minister Baban Lonikar for anti-farmer remarks
MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reprimanded its former minister and MLA from Jalna, Babanrao Lonikar, after his disparaging remarks against voters, especially farmers, caused a major embarrassment to the party. Mumbai: Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis addresses a press conference, at BJP office in Mumbai, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)(PTI28-11-2020_000028A) (PTI) Lonikar had said on Thursday that those who criticise BJP and the government should know that they are getting 'clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of scheme, and money for sowing because of us'. The remarks by Lonikar, made while addressing a function on the Har Ghar Solar scheme in his assembly constituency in central Maharashtra, were aimed at berating the critics of BJP, while highlighting the government schemes. 'Babanrao Lonikar gave salaries to mothers of those who criticise us and also sanctioned pensions for their fathers. Narendra Modi gave ₹ 6,000 to your father for sowing (referring to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi). Your sister is benefitting from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The clothes, shoes, mobile phones that you have is because of us,' he is heard saying in a viral video of the function. After the video clip went viral, it evoked angry reactions on social media. The opposition severely slammed the BJP and its governments. Maharashtra Congress' Harshavardhan Sapkal said that the remarks were the height of perversion and arrogance. 'He has insulted farmers by abusing them and must offer a public apology, or else face dire consequences. It shows the mindset of the BJP which believes that their leaders are supreme and whatever the people get is given by them,' Sapkal said. However, BJP distanced itself from the remarks after the backlash and attack from the opposition. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the statement of his former cabinet colleague was totally wrong and he will be warned for it. 'Though he has said it for a certain group of people, nobody has the right to say so. Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls himself Pradhan Sevak of the country and we all are at the service of the people. Nobody should try to be a master to the people. The remarks by Lonikar are wrong and he will be warned for it,' he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Wearing clothes given by our govt & still targeting us': Maharashtra BJP MLA stirs row
Former Maharashtra minister Babanrao Lonikar sparked controversy after a video showed him criticising youths for targeting state govt on social media and being ungrateful despite "wearing clothes given by our govt". Lonikar's remarks, made Wednesday at a public event, left the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in a bind, prompting CM Devendra Fadnavis to reprimand the Jalna MLA. In the video, Lonikar can be heard telling the youths: "PM Modi gave your father Rs 6,000 (annually) for agriculture. Money from Ladki Bahin scheme came in the name of your mother, your sister, and your wife. The clothes... shoes or slippers on your feet are because of us. Even the phones in your hands are because of us. You take all from us and still talk against us." Fadnavis said, "Lonikar should not have made such a statement at a time when Modi calls himself pradhan sevak and we all are following the idea. " Lonikar did not respond to calls and messages seeking his reaction to the row. Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council Ambadas Danve called his remarks an "Indian-version of British-era mentality".
