Mumbai, Sep 19: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday demanded that the government immediately declare a drought, credit Rs 50,000 per hectare directly into farmers’ bank accounts, and grant a blanket loan waiver.

He warned that if these measures are not taken promptly, ministers will face public backlash and will not be permitted to move freely across the state.

Sapkal told reporters that a severe drought situation prevails in several parts of Maharashtra, with no rainfall recorded for over a month and a half, causing standing crops to wither completely.

He alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti government remains indifferent to the crisis. While discussions take place during cabinet meetings, no concrete decisions have been made, and guardian ministers have failed to visit affected farmers.

“The government spends Rs 350 crore on CCTV installations for the Kumbh Mela, yet hesitates to release funds for farmers. Despite the desperate need, no decision was made to attempt cloud seeding,” he said.

Sapkal said public anger against the ruling coalition is at an all-time high, accusing the administration of caring only about corruption and commissions rather than citizens’ welfare.

He urged the government to act before the festive season and disburse aid before Dasara.

He sharply criticised the call to light lamps on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, questioning the administration’s performance over the past 12 years.

He pointed out that youth remain unemployed, women’s safety is compromised, farmers face ruin, the economy has deteriorated, and inflation continues to surge. “Celebrating birthdays while citizens are suffering in crisis is uncalled for,” Sapkal said.

He highlighted the hypocrisy of PM Modi previously urging the public to practice austerity, such as reducing oil consumption, limiting foreign travel, and avoiding gold purchases, while now asking people to light oil lamps for his birthday. He termed this an act of self-glorification and criticised the leadership for misleading the public.

The MPCC chief further accused the Election Commission of India of functioning as a tool for the ruling BJP. He asserted that implementing SIR threatens democracy by attempting to strip citizens of their right to vote.

Sapkal said the Commission’s functioning is leading toward lawlessness, adding that the Congress Party will firmly oppose these moves and continue to fight on the streets to protect democracy in the country.

Mumbai, Sep 19: Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian, on Saturday slapped a Rs 500 defamation notice to Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray outside the latter’s Matoshree residence, over remarks made against the former as he is pursuing a fresh probe into his daughter’s death case.

Satish Salian and his lawyer Nilesh Ojha were not allowed to enter the Shiv Sena-UBT leader’s residence, so the notice was accepted by Thackeray’s advocate outside the building.

Speaking to reporters after serving the notice, Ojha claimed: “They (ShivSena-UBT members) had threatened us, saying they would not let us practice. So we came here (Matoshree) to show that we can serve a legal notice right at your home. Call as many goons as you want, let’s see what you do.”

Responding to Aaditya Thackeray’s allegations, Satish Salian’s lawyer said: “We have nothing to do with any politics. Now that the notice has been served, answer it…nobody could do a thing to us.”

The defamation notice concerns alleged false, malicious, and defamatory posts published by Aaditya Thackeray on his official X account on September 16 in English and Marathi. It accuses him of making allegations against Satish Salian regarding political motives and personal enmity in connection with the proceedings and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the death of his daughter Disha Salian. The notice seeks an additional Rs 500 crore as compensation and damages.

Earlier on Saturday, Satish Salian said he was not afraid of “any Shiv Sainik”.

“They are human beings and I am human too. I am from Mumbai, so I have no reason to fear anyone,” he told media.

Meanwhile, his lawyer Nilesh Ojha had previously said that Satish Salian has written to the CBI, which is currently probing the case, requesting immediate police protection.

“Satish Salian wrote a letter to the CBI requesting immediate police protection for four people: Satish Salian, myself, former Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, and Ashutosh Pathak. He requested the CBI to take swift steps to provide us with police security,” he told media.

Ojha also said: “The Narcotics Control Bureau report states that Aaditya Thackeray is involved in the drug business. There are CCTV footages, eyewitness testimonies, and allegations of rape and murder against him. We are stating all this openly. Don’t you have legal provisions if this is false?”

“Once they (Thackeray) did approach court (against the allegations) but they had to apologise because their affidavit turned out to be false. What anyone says doesn’t affect us. Let them do whatever they want; we are following our legal path,” he added.

Nanded/Nagpur, Sep 19: A massive political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra on Saturday after a video went viral on social media showing ministers, leaders and senior officials consuming cashews and almonds during an official drought review meeting in Nanded.

The incident occurred at the District Planning Hall, where officials had gathered to assess the severe agricultural crisis and crop loss across Marathwada, triggering widespread public outrage over the administration’s apathy toward struggling farmers.

Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the customary administrative practices involved in such situations while stressing the need for greater empathy during times of crisis.

“It is a standard administrative protocol to provide dry fruits during official meetings. No one does this intentionally to mock the drought situation. However, the administration must keep ground realities in mind and act with greater sensitivity. Such practices should be avoided under these circumstances,” he noted.

Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat, who was absent from the meeting due to prior commitments, shifted the accountability to bureaucratic arrangements.

“I did not attend as I had pre-scheduled engagements, and Agriculture Minister Datta Bhaarne was handling the responsibilities alongside the attending officers. It is the officials who arrange cashews and almonds, but elected representatives end up facing public criticism. I will issue strict directives to the divisional commissioner regarding this matter.”

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar launched a scathing attack on the government, accusing it of a lack of seriousness regarding the severe drought conditions.

“While the drought crisis across the state is extremely grave, the government shows zero seriousness and is busy relishing cashews and almonds. The state government must immediately convene a special legislative assembly session to address the drought and offer concrete relief to farmers.”

In response to the dry spell, crop failure, and impending water shortages, Fadnavis outlined several emergency relief steps initiated by the state government.

“Cabinet ministers have been assigned to conduct ground-level reviews in their respective districts. Preliminary reviews and loss assessments (panchnamas) will be finalised within a week to expedite financial assistance. Process for the loan waiver is progressing rapidly; three beneficiary lists have already been published, and the remaining lists are being compiled on priority,” he said.

“Leveraging planning under the fodder development program launched in response to the El Nino threat, fodder and drinking water are being arranged for heavily affected zones,” the CM said.

Fadnavis further stated that to help save standing crops, the state is providing extra electricity to farmers during evening hours, even in single-phase supply zones where wells still hold water. He added that water reserves in major reservoirs are being strictly reserved for drinking purposes to prevent shortages, especially in areas dependent on smaller, depleted dams.