Senior Congress leader and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday strongly criticised the Maharashtra government over the recently presented Maharashtra Budget 2026, alleging that the farmer loan waiver announced by the ruling coalition is merely a “pretence” and does not address the real financial distress faced by farmers, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar targeted the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing it of prioritising industrial interests while ignoring the needs of ordinary citizens and farmers.
Congress leader questions farm loan waiver announcement
Wadettiwar claimed that the loan waiver scheme announced in the Maharashtra Budget 2026 lacks substance and fails to provide genuine relief to farmers struggling with debt.
“There is no budget to discuss. The government has nothing in this budget except benefiting the industrialists and the pretence of a loan waiver,” Wadettiwar said, reported ANI.
He further alleged that the state government’s financial management is putting a heavy burden on Maharashtra’s economy. According to the Congress leader, the government is already facing massive interest liabilities.
“The state government has to pay interest of Rs 67,000 crore. The loot of Maharashtra is going on,” he added while criticising the fiscal approach of the ruling alliance, reported ANI.
What the Maharashtra Budget proposes for farmers
While presenting the Maharashtra Budget on March 6, Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a farm loan waiver scheme aimed at providing relief to farmers with overdue crop loans.
Under the proposal, eligible farmers will receive a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh on pending crop loans. In addition, the government has proposed an incentive of Rs 50,000 for farmers who have consistently repaid their loans on time, as part of efforts to encourage financial discipline in the agricultural sector.
The announcement has been positioned by the government as a major step towards addressing agrarian distress in the state.
Demand for Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly
Wadettiwar also reiterated the demand of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for the appointment of a Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
He alleged that the state government is deliberately avoiding the appointment, claiming it reflects a lack of commitment to democratic practices.
“The state government does not want the opposition leader in the House. It seems that the government has already decided. If there is faith in democracy, the opposition should be given its rightful place, but this government does not have faith in democracy,” Wadettiwar said, reported ANI.
Supports no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker
The Congress leader also commented on the political developments at the national level, backing the party’s decision to move a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
He alleged that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
“The opposition leader is not allowed to speak against the government in the House. The whole nation witnessed it. The Lok Sabha was a one-man show. So the opposition has brought in a no-confidence motion,” Wadettiwar said, reported ANI.
According to opposition leaders, as many as 118 MPs have signed the motion accusing the Speaker of “partisan” conduct. The resolution will be formally moved if it receives the required permission of the House.
Parliament Budget Session underway till April
Meanwhile, the second phase of the ongoing Parliament Budget Session is scheduled to continue until April 2. During this period, key legislative business and discussions related to the Union Budget 2026 are expected to take place.
The session began on January 28 with the address of the President to a joint sitting of both Houses and is scheduled to include around 30 sittings spread across 65 days.
(With inputs from ANI)
