BJP MLA Lonikar faces flak for his remarks against farmers

Mumbai

Maharashtra BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar triggered a political storm on Thursday with controversial remarks suggesting farmers should not criticise the government because they have benefitted from various welfare schemes.

Speaking at an event for the Har Ghar Solar scheme in Partur, Jalna district, Mr. Lonikar said: “[Prime Minister] Modi gave ₹6,000 for sowing, the State gives the rest. We give salaries to mothers, pensions to fathers, and our sisters and daughters benefit from the Ladki Bahin scheme. We have given them clothes, shoes, phones, yet people keep criticising us.”

The comments were widely condemned as condescending and arrogant.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis distanced the party from the remarks, saying, “The statement was wrong. Prime Minister Modi calls himself the pradhan sevak. We are public servants, not masters.” 

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule echoed the sentiment, saying, “Once we take votes, we become public servants. No one has the right to speak like this“.

‘Arrogance of power’ 

A video clip of Mr. Lonikar’s speech quickly went viral on social media, drawing flak from the Opposition, which termed the remarks “tasteless” and against democracy.

“This is nothing but the arrogance of power. We start doing the math and see what your government has given and taken back,“ said farmers’ leader and former MP Raju Shetti, alleging that Mr. Modi has also given eight farmer suicides a day. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav took a swipe, saying, “Before 2014, he had no clothes or footwear. Apparently, he got everything after Modi came to power.” His party colleague MLC Ambadas Danve called Mr. Lonikar an “indigenous version of the British”. 

Facing backlash, Mr. Lonikar later issued an apology. “I was referring to a few individuals, not all farmers. My words are being misused. Still, I apologise to all farmers,” he said.