Assembly adjourned as Shiv Sena protests delay of loan waivers

The Shiv Sena launched a fresh attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that the government announce loan waivers for farmers immediately. Shiv Sena legislators sat on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan during the adjournments in protest. The BJP responded aggressively, saying they were in favour of the waiver, and condemning the Opposition for making it a political issue.

As soon as the proceedings started on Thursday, BJP legislators took to the well, saying the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were the farmers’ real opponents as they did not help them while they were in power.

BJP chief whip Raj Purohit led the protest inside the house, with the support of the party legislators. Education minister Vinod Tawde joined in.

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly, said the ruling Shiv Sena supported the Opposition’s cause. “Fadnavis said the waiver would be announced at the appropriate time. The BJP’S love for farmers is cosmetic. If it is so serious about their plight, why it is waiting for the appropriate time?” he asked

Sudhir Mungantiwar, finance minister, announced at a press conference that the party would launch a five-point agenda to make farmers self sufficient.

Sloganeering from the trea sury and Opposition led to a ruckus in the lower house. The pandemonium did not show signs of abating, forcing presiding offi cer Yogesh Sagar to adjourn the house for the day.