CM Fadnavis counters Opposition protest on first day of Winter Session

The session commenced with protests by MVA leaders on the steps of Vidhan Bhawan, opposing the use of Electronic Voting Machines during elections

The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government on Monday (December 16, 2024) tabled supplementary demands worth ₹33,788.40 crore during the first day of the Winter Session of the State legislature in Nagpur, the State’s second capital. The allocation includes ₹1,400 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, which aims to empower women through financial assistance.

Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant presented these supplementary demands, which represent additional funds sought beyond the budgetary allocations. Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, over 2.5 crore women have already benefited from a monthly allowance of ₹1,500. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has previously announced plans to raise the allowance to ₹2,100, to be incorporated in future budgets.

Among other key provisions, ₹36 crore has been earmarked for rebuilding the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg. The statue collapsed earlier this year, just months after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Further allocations include ₹1,204 crore for loans to sugar cooperative factories and ₹3,050 crore under the Mukhyamantri Baliraja scheme to provide free electricity to farmers with agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower.

Other major beneficiaries of the funds are the Public Works Department (₹7,490 crore), Industry, Power, and Labour (₹4,112 crore), Urban Development (₹2,774 crore), Rural Development (₹2,007 crore), and Tribal Development (₹1,830 crore).

Opposition protests EVMs

The session commenced with protests by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders on the steps of Vidhan Bhawan, opposing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections. Led by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, the demonstrators raised slogans like “EVM Hatao Desh Bachao” (Remove EVMs, Save the Nation) and “EVM Hatao Democracy Bachao” (Remove EVMs, Save Democracy).

Mr. Danve was joined by Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar, Nitin Raut, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena(UBT) leaders Bhaskar Jadhav and Sachin Ahir, and NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad. They alleged EVMs threatened democratic integrity and demanded a return to ballot paper voting. “EVMs are dangerous for democracy, and we demand that elections be conducted using ballot papers,” Mr. Danve said.

Congress leader Bhai Jagtap claimed that EVMs were “Every Vote for Mahayuti,” referencing the BJP-led alliance in the State. He accused the BJP and the Centre of exploiting EVMs for electoral advantage, vowing to raise awareness on the issue.

Mr. Fadnavis dismissed the claims, asserting that the BJP’s electoral success was grounded in public trust. “Our government came to power because every vote was cast for Maharashtra’s progress,” he said. Fadnavis urged the Opposition to engage in meaningful discussions within the legislature instead of politicising issues.

“The government is prepared to answer every question raised by the opposition, provided they refrain from playing politics,” he added. Addressing earlier criticism by Mr. Danve, Mr. Fadnavis said, “If the Opposition wants political answers, they will get political answers. But my government has nothing to hide.”

Adding to the tense atmosphere, NCP(SP) MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar from Beed raised concerns about the murder of village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. He alleged the involvement of local NCP functionary Valmik Karad in the killing and demanded immediate action. Kshirsagar warned of a massive protest in Beed if justice was not delivered following the Winter Session.

Mr. Fadnavis said that he was ready to discuss in the Assembly on recent Parbhani violence and murder of the Sarpanch.

Published - December 16, 2024 08:56 pm IST