Opposition attacks Maharashtra CM’s report, cites rural distress and farmer suicides

Opposition criticizes Maharashtra Chief Minister's claims of progress, citing rise in farmer suicides and lack of rural measures.

Opposition parties on Thursday (May 1, 2025) criticised the claims of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the State’s progress under the Mahayuti government, pointing to a rise in farmer suicides and a perceived lack of substantive measures to address rural distress.

The critique came in response to the Chief Minister’s 100-day performance report, released on the occasion of Maharashtra Day. Mr. Fadnavis asserted that the government had made significant administrative progress since assuming office in December 2024. According to the report, which was said to have been evaluated by the Quality Council of India, 12 of the 48 departments had achieved their strategic targets in full during the period from December 2024 to March 2025.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, dismissed the report as “cosmetic,” arguing that it failed to acknowledge the ground realities, particularly in rural regions.

Addressing reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mr. Danve stated, “The real contribution of the Mahayuti government over these 100 days has been an increase in financial burden through populist, election-centric announcements and a disturbing surge in farmer suicides. These factors, which directly affect livelihoods, find no mention in the government’s glowing assessment.”

Citing official data from the Divisional Commissioner’s office, Mr. Danve noted that 269 farmer suicides were reported in the Marathwada region between January and March 2025, a significant increase from 204 cases reported during the corresponding period last year. The affected districts include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dharashiv, Latur, Beed, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, and Jalna.

Taking to social media platform X, Mr. Danve also criticised what he termed the government’s reliance on “divisive rhetoric and political theatrics.” Referring to the recent murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, he alleged that political discourse had degenerated into the use of terms such as “aaka, bada aaka, bokya, and khokya”. “Meanwhile,” he added, “budgetary cuts in welfare schemes for students and farmers persist, and key promises such as loan waivers remain unfulfilled”.

According to the government report, 12 departments achieved 100% of their targets under the 100-day programme, while 18 departments scored between 80 and 99%. Ten departments registered performance in the 60 to 79% range, and the remaining eight scored below 60%.