Nagpur: In a dramatic turn inside the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday, Opposition parties stormed out of the House after accusing the state government of mishandling cotton and soybean procurement and “abandoning farmers at a crucial time.”
The uproar began when BJP MLA Santosh Danve flagged concerns during Question Hour about delays and confusion at procurement centres across rural districts. While several lawmakers from the ruling alliance — including senior BJP leader Babanrao Lonikar and NCP MLA Prakash Solanke — insisted that the government had significantly expanded procurement operations this season, the Opposition was far from convinced.
Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal told the Assembly that the number of functioning centres had increased compared to last year and that purchase rates had been raised to support cultivators. But the Opposition countered sharply, alleging that many centres were either non-operational, poorly staffed, or forcing farmers to sell below the government-mandated price.
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the government, claiming it was “pretending to help farmers while actually making things easier for traders,” and accused officials of offering nothing more than “token services.”
Wadettiwar also pointed out that reports from several districts showed cotton and soybean being purchased below the MSP, leaving farmers distressed and vulnerable.
Demanding extended discussions on the issue, the Opposition sought a clear stand from Speaker Rahul Narwekar. But when no additional time was granted, Wadettiwar declared that the Opposition had “no option left,” leading members to walk out in protest.
