Agriculture Minister Bharane says Mahayuti rows are at lower levels, top leadership strong

State Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane gave his views on the continuing disputes within the Mahayuti. According to him, the disputes are at the lower levels, while the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers at the top are strong.

Asked about the Karjat project, over which the two Thackeray brothers are set to hold a morcha, Bharane said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take the decision. Asked about the Chief Minister and the two Thackeray brothers having shared a stage, Bharane said it would be better to put that question to Devendra Babu. On the zilla parishads, he said the court had given a good verdict. It will give 22 zilla parishads their presidents and office-bearers, and he welcomed the decision.

Farmers are strongly opposing the AI data centre project planned at the Ujani dam. Farmers from village after village are gathering and holding meetings. Bharane said the government's officials should go to the farmers, talk to them about the project, hear their suggestions and clear up their misconceptions, right and wrong. According to Bharane, until the farmers are ready, the officials should not do this work. He also said any further decision would be taken only after discussions with the farmers.

He was also asked whether the Agriculture Minister would join those agitating for farmers. Bharane replied that the government is with the farmers. A large agitation against the project is due on October 31. It will be led by Rohit Pawar, MLA of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), MP Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil and former MLA Sanjaymama Shinde.

On the recovery of loans from farmers, Bharane said banks have been told not to chase farmers for recovery. According to him, these are very difficult and distressing days for farmers. The Chief Minister is to speak to the RBI so that finance companies are given a strict instruction. Bharane said that if the companies still do not listen, stern action will be taken against them. He said the government will remain on the farmers' side. It will make a law, he said, but before that it will look into what has been done so far in the name of the law. He also said that in difficult times everyone should stand behind the farmers.

On the Akola case, Bharane said he has himself spoken to the Collector. According to him, the finance company will be summoned and action taken in the matter.

On the results of the graduates' and teachers' constituencies, Bharane said a win is a win and one should learn from a defeat. Conceding defeat, he congratulated the winning candidates. Asked about the claim that Nationalist Congress Party workers were not visible in the Pune graduates' election, Bharane said the allegation was completely false. According to him, the Nationalist Congress Party was fully active in the district. He said the party's chief, Sunetra Bhabhi Pawar, had given them instructions and everyone campaigned sincerely for the Mahayuti. He also said there is no need to pay attention to who is saying what.

On Sanjay Gaikwad's controversial statement, Bharane said no one should make such a statement because farmers are in distress. He said he was saying this to everyone through the media. According to him, in this period of drought, wasteful spending should be avoided and events should be held at the minimum cost. He also said Eknath Shinde is the chief of his party and will take the decision.