‘Modi Gave Rs 6,000 To Your Father’: Maharashtra BJP MLA Faces Oppn Flak Over Speech On Welfare Schemes
BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar sparked controversy by claiming critics benefit from his party's schemes, including clothes, phones, and financial aid, drawing condemnation from the opposition.
Maharashtra BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar lashed out at critics of his party and government at a gathering, saying they should know they are getting “clothes, shoes, mobile, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us”, stirring up controversy.
The former state minister was speaking at a function on the ‘Har Ghar Solar’ scheme in Partur in Jalna district of central Maharashtra, his assembly constituency.
Highlighting the BJP-led government’s welfare schemes and development work, Lonikar berated those who criticised his party.
In a viral video that surfaced on social media on Thursday, Lonikar can be heard making controversial remarks, which later invited strong condemnation from the opposition.
“There are a few people and especially the youth, who criticise us and our party on social media platforms. We gave overhead water tanks, concrete roads, function halls and benefits of various government schemes in your village,” he is heard proclaiming.
सोशल मीडियावर आपल्या विरोधात व्यक्त होणाऱ्या तरुणांविषयी भाजपचे आमदार @BabanraoLonikar बघा कसे बोलत आहेत !
— Adv Rohini Eknathrao Khadse (@Rohini_khadse) June 26, 2025
ही या लोकांची भाषा, त्यांचा अहंकार, त्यांची संस्कृती आहे !
आमदार महोदय, तुमचे शेठ जो २५ लाखांचा सूट घालतात तो सामान्य जनतेमुळे मिळाला आहे, लाखो रुपयांचा गॉगल घालतात ती… pic.twitter.com/hjvu62WXoD
“Your Salaries, Pension, Clothes—All Because of Us”: BJP MLA
The MLA can also be heard saying in the video, “Babanrao Lonikar gave salaries to mothers of those who criticise us and also sanctioned pension for their fathers. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi gave Rs 6,000 to your father for sowing (a reference to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi). Your sister is benefiting from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The clothes, shoes, mobile phones that you (BJP critics) have is because of us.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) Slams Remarks as “Undemocratic”
Hitting out at the BJP legislator for his remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, dubbed him as an “indigenous version of the British”.
“Your MLA status is because of the people. Your clothes, shoes, air tickets, leadership position, diesel in (your) car is also because of the people,” Danve wrote on X while lambasting the ruling party lawmaker.
He further noted that such language is inappropriate in a democracy.
“People should remember these words (of Lonikar). Elections (of local bodies in the state) are coming,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated.
(With inputs from agencies)
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