Vadettiwar hits out at government over Jarange, drought package, OBC issue

Congress leader and MLA Vijay Vadettiwar has sharply questioned why so many government ministers bow before Manoj Jarange yet never seem to suffer for it. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Vadettiwar reacted to several issues. He said ministers bow so low it would embarrass even a pet animal, which is why Jarange Patil has come to see himself as a ruler. He said a government bows only when someone makes it bow, and that is why this government bows. What happens next is a matter between the government and Manoj Jarange to sort out themselves, he added pointedly.

Vadettiwar also alleged that it is the government itself that has created the OBC versus Hindu dispute. He said that when Maratha agitators go to Mumbai there will naturally be crowds because of the Ganeshotsav season, but what matters is how the government handles the agitation. He said the OBC versus Hindu dispute was created by the government, that it has brought a crisis upon the OBC community, and that this is the government's sin. He said the government pays no attention to OBCs and does not resolve their concerns. He said reservation in jobs has created a situation where eighty percent of people get only fifteen percent of the positions, a situation created by bringing reservation into every job category. He said Jarange Patil's agitation should be allowed to go ahead after taking fresh permission, and how the government handles it is its own question. He said their demands have already been placed before the government and it should treat them with seriousness.

Vadettiwar demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately announce a special package, saying drought-like conditions have developed in the state. He said all farmers are in distress and the state has never faced such a dire situation before. He said many dams have run out of water, which will also make drinking water a difficult question. He said a letter on this has been sent to the Governor, and asked what one should expect from the government. He said an emergency plan should be drawn up and implemented effectively. He listed demands including simplifying and speeding up the crop insurance compensation process, paying compensation for losses, waiving loans taken for the kharif season, giving interest relief, running a special campaign, preparing a weather-based action plan, taking measures for livestock, planning for fodder, and announcing a special economic package.

He warned that if the government does not take this seriously, farmers will not survive. He said he was praying to Ganpati Bappa to save farmers from this drought and grant good sense to those in power, that the government should focus on paper leaks and unemployment, stand with farmers, and help overcome this crisis.

He said there is no hope from either the central or the state government, and that industrialists' whims are being indulged, calling this a distorted mindset. He said a minister from the ruling party has said that goods should be bought only from Hindus. He said ministers know the Hanuman Chalisa but do not talk about the Constitution, that they are not even fit to take the Constitution's name, and that ruling party ministers keep saying whatever they like.