VBA's Neeraj Waghmare sends CM Fadnavis Rs 5,000 money order over farmers' distress

Dr Neeraj Waghmare, district president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) in Yavatmal and leader of the party group in the Yavatmal Municipal Council, has sent Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis a money order of Rs 5,000. The symbolic protest, staged around Diwali, is against the role of the state government.

Farmers in Maharashtra are in distress because of excess rain, crop failure, debt and financial crisis. Against this backdrop, Dr Waghmare adopted this unusual method and, in a satirical vein, questioned the government's policies on farmers.

The money order was sent from Yavatmal's head post office at 4.45 pm on Monday, the 19th. The electronic money order was addressed to Fadnavis's Nagpur address. Along with the Rs 5,000, a commission of Rs 250 had to be paid, so a total of Rs 5,250 was paid. An official postal receipt for the transaction is also available.

Dr Waghmare said the farmer, the provider of Maharashtra, is caught in a financial crisis and there is no guarantee that a Diwali lamp will be lit in his home. In his words, there is no joy on the faces of farmers' children and a mountain of debt weighs on families.

In such circumstances, the Rs 5,000 was sent so that the Chief Minister does not run short of money for Diwali, Dr Waghmare said in a satirical tone. With this, he questioned the government's sensitivity.

Dr Waghmare demanded that the government take firm decisions immediately on the issues of panchnamas of farmers' losses, compensation, loan waiver and financial assistance.

He also asked what kind of democracy it is when there is darkness in farmers' homes and light in the homes of those in power. He said that if farmers' tears cannot be wiped away, the rulers should at least feel their pain.

Dr Waghmare said, "Chief Minister, take our Rs 5,000, celebrate your Diwali, but what about the ruined world of Baliraja?"