Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that the first advance of drought relief worth Rs 5,000 is being deposited directly into farmers’ accounts before Diwali.

So far, the money has already been deposited into the accounts of 73 lakh farmers, and the remaining amount will be credited today and tomorrow.

The government proposes to directly transfer this aid to 1.50 crore farmers from 304 drought-hit talukas across the state.

Speaking after a weekly cabinet meeting today, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “On behalf of the state government, we had announced an advance relief of Rs 5,000 to drought-affected farmers before Diwali. Accordingly, money has reached the accounts of 73 lakh farmers so far, and in the next two days, it will reach nearly 95% of farmers. A 5% delay is due to minor issues with some bank accounts. But as I mentioned, it has reached 73 lakh farmers, and in the next two days, most remaining farmers will receive it.”

He further added, “Similarly, under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Loan Waiver Scheme, we have today credited Rs 4,764 crore into the accounts of another 4.86 lakh farmers. The highest number of beneficiaries are from the Marathwada region—around 2.76 lakh farmers in Marathwada received loan waiver funds today.

“Overall, we have disbursed loan waiver funds to nearly 21 lakh farmers, totalling almost Rs 19,000 crore. The verification of lists is still ongoing; as authentication continues, funds will be progressively deposited. This Mahayuti government stands firmly behind our farmers, making every effort to support them through various schemes, with direct funds reaching their bank accounts.”

Regarding celebrating the festival, he stated, “This was a collective decision, not just my order. After discussing with all ministers, everyone felt that we should celebrate Diwali with the farmers. Therefore, we will certainly try to visit farmers’ homes and celebrate Diwali alongside them.”

Commenting on MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s reaction to Save Democracy protests by the Mahayuti alliance, CM Fadnavis said, “I believe if he understands the purpose of our marches, he would not speak this way. These marches are against anarchy and aimed at protecting the Constitution. Under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, the INDIA alliance is trying to bring about ‘regime change’ in this country, which essentially means altering the Constitution.

“To defeat this attempt at regime change, it is not just them who can take to the streets—we can also come out to counter them. The support for the Indian Constitution, Indian democracy, and against anarchy is far greater than the number of people they bring to the streets. That is why our marches will continue.”

On Peasants and Workers Party chief Raju Shetti’s agitation and road blockade, CM Fadnavis said, “My question is, who ultimately suffers loss from this agitation? It is solely and strictly the farmers. Therefore, my appeal is for dialogue. Ultimately, the issue is between sugar factories and farmers because paying the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is mandatory, as declared by the government every year.

“The demand here is to receive a price higher than the FRP. Continuous discussions are taking place between farmers and factory owners. The state government is acting as a mediator. We are making efforts to find a solution so this agitation ends peacefully. We have also asked our minister, Hasan Mushrif, to conduct mediation talks.”

The BJP on Wednesday criticised Samajwadi Party (SP) President, Akhilesh Yadav’s indication that he would not contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying he had made the right decision as he would otherwise face the fate of several INDIA Bloc leaders who lost recent electoral contests.

The BJP said Yadav was aware of the political situation and the possibility of facing defeat if he entered the electoral fray.

The controversy follows Yadav’s remarks during his visit to Varanasi on Tuesday. When asked by reporters whether he would contest the next year’s Assembly elections, possibly from a constituency in the city, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister responded in his characteristic witty style.

“We become chief minister when we do not contest elections. So, we will do what is auspicious for us,” he said.

Reacting to his remarks, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar said Yadav lacked the courage to face the public and was making excuses through political statements.

“They do not have the courage to face the public. They know this very well and are simply making excuses and engaging in political theatrics. The Samajwadi Party and its leaders are anti-development, anti-farmer, anti-youth, anti-student and anti-women. They lack the courage to face the people because they know that if they go among the public, voters will reject them decisively,” he told media.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar also criticised the SP chief, saying he was unwilling to contest elections or face the public.

“He will neither contest the elections nor go to the people. He is neither willing to enter the electoral fray nor face the public. The people have already rejected Akhilesh Yadav,” he said.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Pal said Yadav had taken the right decision by staying away from the electoral contest.

“He has made a very right decision; otherwise, his fate would have been like Kejriwal losing the Assembly election in Delhi, Mamata Banerjee losing in Bengal, and the INDIA Bloc’s chief ministerial face Gaurav Gogoi losing in Assam. He knows that the public is not just defeating the INDIA Bloc but soundly routing them, and even their incumbent Chief Ministers are losing,” Pal said.

However, Uttar Pradesh Minister Nitin Agrawal said contesting elections was an individual’s personal decision and Yadav was entitled to make his choice.

“Who will contest elections and who will not, is an individual’s personal decision. He has decided that he will not contest; that is his personal decision. In a democracy, one should win elections and come to the House. I believe that those who contest elections and win have greater credibility in a democracy. The rest is everyone’s personal choice,” he said.

BJP MLA Paltu Ram also criticised Yadav, alleging that his decision amounted to making a mockery of democracy. He further accused the SP of disregarding democratic values and constitutional institutions, alleging that its tenure in Uttar Pradesh was marked by lawlessness and a ‘goonda raj’.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput defended the SP chief, saying his decision to contest or not contest the elections would not affect his role in the party’s campaign.

“Whether or not Akhilesh Yadav contests the elections, he is currently an honourable Member of Parliament and will lead the party’s election campaign. The entire responsibility of the party rests on his shoulders. Whatever decision he takes will be acceptable to everyone in the INDIA alliance, as he is one of our key leaders,” he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Lalji Verma also supported Yadav’s decision, saying that not contesting an election could allow a leader to work across the entire state.

“When a leader does not contest an election himself, they get the opportunity to work freely across the entire state. So, certainly, whatever his decision is, it might be of this nature, and we do not have to comment on it,” he said.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted search and seizure operations at 10 locations across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged illegal procurement and sale of imported foreign liquor through Gurugram-based liquor vend chain ‘The Theka’.

The searches, carried out by the ED’s Gurugram Zonal Office on Tuesday and Wednesday under the PMLA, covered offices and residences of individuals associated with ‘The Theka’, foreign liquor suppliers, transporters, and others allegedly involved in the liquor syndicate.

According to the ED, the investigation stems from FIRs and charge sheets filed by Haryana Police over allegations of illegal sale of imported foreign liquor and misuse of the bond-to-bond transfer mechanism to evade customs duties and state excise taxes.

The case originated from a complaint by Excise Department officials, who seized 3,921 cases and 176 loose bottles of imported foreign liquor allegedly lacking mandatory holograms and Track & Trace strips from ‘The Theka’ on December 9, 2025. Another FIR was also registered against members of the syndicate for alleged involvement in the sale of spurious liquor.

The ED said its probe revealed that the syndicate exploited the bond-to-bond transfer system, which permits movement of imported liquor between states without immediate payment of customs and excise duties. To facilitate the operation, separate companies were established in Haryana and Goa/Maharashtra and requisite customs licences obtained.

While the liquor was officially meant to be transported to bonded warehouses in Goa or Maharashtra, investigators found that consignments were diverted in connivance with transporters and supplied directly to liquor vends in Gurugram. The liquor was then sold as legitimate imported stock, enabling the syndicate to evade customs duties, VAT, cesses, and other taxes.

The agency alleged that after securing a liquor licence for the 2025-27 period, the syndicate procured and sold imported liquor without holograms and Track & Trace strips to increase profits. More than one lakh bottles of imported liquor were procured and illegally sold between June and November 2025.

According to the ED, the operation yielded profits of 20-25 per cent on illegal sales and generated proceeds of crime exceeding Rs 10 crore.

During the searches, officials recovered and seized incriminating documents, digital records relating to the procurement and movement of imported liquor under customs bond arrangements, and cash amounting to Rs 11 lakh.

Further investigation is underway.