Congress to corner Maharashtra govt over loan waiver, scam, Malwani hooch deaths

Indicating an aggressive stand against the BJP-led government ahead of the monsoon session of Maharashtra legislature, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan on Tuesday said the party will launch a statewide agitation demanding complete loan waiver to farmers on July 9 and 10.

Addressing a press conference after the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Mumbai, Chavan said protests will be held at all district headquarters and the issue would be vigorously raised during the monsoon session which begins on July 13.

"Our next move would depend on government's response to the demand for immediate relief in the form of complete loan waiver to farmers who are facing a crisis arising out of drought, unseasonal rains and hailstorms," Chavan said.

He said Congress had also planned to form a committee of party legislators from both houses to discuss floor management and issues to be taken up during the session. A shadow cabinet would be formed by the party to keep a check on functioning of the government, he said.

Leader of opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said women and child welfare minister Pankaja Munde's claim of having done nothing wrong after allegations of scam in her department were belied by her action of approving 24 contracts in a single day.

"She has to quit to ensure a fair probe," Vikhe Patil said, adding, that government's insensitivity towards the hooch tragedy in Mumbai in which more than 100 people died would also be highlighted during the session.