Narendra Modi kept mum on Maharashtra farmers' plight in Solapur rally: Congress

The Congress in Maharashtra Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence" on extending help to the farmers affected by drought-like situation in the state, during his address in Solapur.

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil also condemned the alleged thrashing of Congress workers by police for staging a protest during Modi's visit to Solapur, where he launched various developmental projects.

He demanded suspension of police personnel who allegedly thrashed the workers of the Youth and Student wing of the party.

Accusing the government of behaving in an "autocratic" manner, Vikhe Patil said he would stage a protest in Solapur if the police personnel concerned were not suspended.

Former Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde also slammed Modi for "making false promises".

"The prime minister visited Maharashtra twice in the past three months. But he did not feel the need to give relief to the farmers affected by drought. This is the misfortune of Maharashtra," a statement quoted Vikhe Patil as saying.

"Modi has time to inaugurate (projects), but not for wiping tears of farmers," the Congress leader said.

Vikhe Patil said the PM remained silent about extending help to farmers despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also attended the project launch programme, requested him for assistance to tackle the situation.

Meanwhile, Shinde attacked Modi for allegedly questionning the former's contribution towards Solapur, his home turf.

"Has the Modi government bought even a metre of cloth from Solapur, famous for its chaddars or bedsheets, for the paramilitary personnel?" asked Shinde.

He charged the prime minister with making "false promises".

The Maharashtra government aims to set up a garment park and a textile training centre in Solapur.

"Modi ji today asked what Sushil Kumar did for Solapur. But I want to ask him did you buy even one metre of cloth for (uniforms) of paramilitary forces?

"It is your nature that you deliver speeches aggressively and make false promises," Shinde said.

The Maharashtra government had last October declared drought in 151 talukas in 26 of total 36 districts in the state.

The state government had reportedly sought Central assistance of Rs 7000 crore for drought mitigation.

-PTI