"Very insulting remarks": Aditya Thackeray slams Mahayuti govt over MLA Babanrao Lonikar's remarks

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 2 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, on Wednesday, slammed BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar's reported remarks on farmers and termed it "very insulting".
Speaking to the media, Thackeray claimed that more than 700 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last three months alone and not a single rupee of help has reached them.
"Very insulting remarks, as if it is a favour to them that the Government is trying to help them. If you see the last 2.5 years, under 'Bhrashtnath' Shinde or if you see now, not a single Rupee of help has reached the farmers. More than 700 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last 3 months alone. The Government is going back on all the promises," Aditya Thackeray said.
"What is this conduct where the ruling party can say whatever they want on farmers, and roam freely without apologising?" he asked.
Further, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA said that he was expecting the BJP to present Babanrao Lonikar in the Assembly to apologise.
"I was expecting the BJP to present him in the House to apologise. But that didn't happen. One Minister even supported him. The entire BJP attacked us that we are anti-nationals. We just want Babanrao Lonikar to apologise to people, to farmers, for his comments. Is it to wrong to demand that?" Thackeray asserted.
A video that recently went viral featuring the BJP leader, where he is heard saying to the gathering of farmers that they should not criticise the government, as they are getting clothes, mobiles, and shoes because of the government's largesse.
On Tuesday, opposition leaders in Maharashtra targeted the ruling Mahayuti government in the Assembly, demanding an apology from the BJP MLA.
Congress MLA Nana Patole was also suspended from the Assembly by Speaker Rahul Narwekar.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Patole emphasised that they will continue to fight for the farmers.
"BJP MLAs and ministers claim that PM Modi is the messiah of farmers. PM Modi cannot be the messiah of farmers... The way farmers ar being insulted, is this why they have been brought to power?... Ever since PM Modi has formed the government, the suicide rate of farmers has increased... We will continue to fight for the farmers. We do not want a certificate from CM Fadnavis," Patole said. (ANI)