Former Maharashtra minister Babanrao Lonikar sparked controversy after a video showed him criticising youths for targeting state govt on social media and being ungrateful despite “wearing clothes given by our govt”. Lonikar’s remarks, made Wednesday at a public event, left the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in a bind, prompting CM Devendra Fadnavis to reprimand the Jalna MLA. In the video, Lonikar can be heard telling the youths: “PM Modi gave your father Rs 6,000 (annually) for agriculture. Money from Ladki Bahin scheme came in the name of your mother, your sister, and your wife. The clothes… shoes or slippers on your feet are because of us. Even the phones in your hands are because of us. You take all from us and still talk against us.” Fadnavis said, “Lonikar should not have made such a statement at a time when Modi calls himself pradhan sevak and we all are following the idea.” Lonikar did not respond to calls and messages seeking his reaction to the row. Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council Ambadas Danve called his remarks an “Indian-version of British-era mentality”.
