Amravati, April 21 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday told soybean and cotton producers that if government help doesn't reach them by April 22, they should ask him not to contest the Assembly elections scheduled later this year and instead leave politics.
Addressing a rally here, Pawar said the state government has decided to give help to soybean and cotton producers not per quintal, but per hectare of agricultural land. He said provision of Rs 4,000 crore has been made in the state budget for the grant.
"We are true to our word. If the help is not received tomorrow, you can say 'Ajit Pawar go away" and "Don't contest assembly elections", said Pawar.
He was speaking at the Bahujan Mela organised on behalf of Shiv Sambhaji Swarajya Pratishthan at Sant Gyaneshwar Sanskrittik Bhavan here in support of BJP candidate Navneet Rana.
Pawar said soybean and cotton producing farmers faced a big financial crisis this year. The information about soybeans and cotton was not available in time. So these farmers could not be given help before implementing the model code of conduct for the upcoming election.
"But, we have already made a provision of Rs four thousand crore in the budget. We have to ask for your vote again during the assembly elections. If we don't get help to you, then you can say don't stand at our door," he said.
Pawar also criticised the opposition saying it lacks personalities capable of leading. "On the one hand, Narendra Modi is a capable leader, on the other hand the opposition is weak. No one can lead. Rahul Gandhi does not have that ability at all", he said.
The Constitution given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar will remain as long as there is the sun and moon, he assured the people, accusing the opposition of spreading propaganda. "The Constitution can be amended. all the prime ministers have amended it, for a total of 106 times," he said.
"Farmers have made a big contribution to the development of the country. We have provided financial assistance not only to the sugarcane producers, but also those producing other food grains," he added. UNI SP SSP