Satej Patil attacks state govt on farmer suicides, microfinance firms and voter list

Congress leader and MLA Satej Patil has launched a sharp attack on the state government. He targeted it over farmer suicides, the alleged high-handedness of microfinance companies, irregularities in the voter list and the felling of trees. He also appealed to the directors of the Gokul milk cooperative union to respect the majority's decision and uphold democratic principles in the cooperative sector.

At a press conference after the Gokul election results, Patil said his panel had won a clear majority. Thirteen of the 25 directors are with him. The remaining 12 directors should accept the mandate rather than hide behind technical arguments. "If we want to set an example in the cooperative sector, the remaining 12 directors should respect the majority and the mandate given by the people, instead of getting caught up in technicalities," Patil said.

Referring to Gokul's legacy, he said the institution had grown through the efforts of leaders such as Anandrao Patil Chuyekar. He said that if the chairperson came from the family of a leader who contributed to the institution's growth, continuity in its functioning would be maintained. According to Patil, the stand taken by Hasan Mushrif and Vinay Kore, both associated with the cooperative sector, could have an impact across Maharashtra. He expressed confidence that all directors would attend the meeting on the 29th, that the quorum would be complete and that everyone would work together to strengthen the institution.

Speaking on the farmers' crisis, Patil alleged that suicides continued and the government failed to act in time. He asked why farmers were not given proper advice at the start of the kharif season, even though the threat of El Nino was known in advance. He also criticised the government's proposed relief package. In his view, the promise of loan restructuring will give farmers no real relief. The Congress demand is a complete waiver of crop loans. Patil said the government had given inadequate help and was taking farmers' distress lightly.

Condemning an incident involving a farmer in Nanded, Patil questioned the alleged coercive methods of microfinance companies. He asked whether law and order had collapsed in the state. He demanded that cases of culpable homicide be registered against such companies, and that the state government file complaints with SEBI and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He also targeted the state's agriculture minister and cooperation minister, saying neither was to be seen during this crisis.

On the voter list, Patil alleged that Form 7 was being misused to delete voters' names. He claimed that attempts were being made to remove 5,000 to 6,000 names in every Assembly constituency without due thought. He alleged that instructions to delete names had reached booth level officers (BLO) of the BJP. The Congress strongly demands that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll be carried out transparently.

Patil also said a large rally would be held on November 1 at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. According to him, the alleged "vote chori" issue has become important at the national level under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.