MUMBAI: The Congress has accused BJP leaders in Mumbai of making a “cruel mockery” of drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra by spending nearly ₹ 100 crore on lavish garba events during the ongoing Navratri festival.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to people to celebrate festivals simply. Meanwhile, a grand ceremony was held for the foundation pillar of the historical theatrical production Praudh Pratap Purandar on the Beed bypass in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat, minister Atul Save and former minister Bhagwat Karad were among the political leaders present.
The government has announced financial assistance of only ₹ 5,000 each for drought-hit farmers, while BJP ministers and MLAs are allegedly spending between ₹ 10 crore and ₹ 15 crore daily on Navratri celebrations, Londhe said.
He went on to name BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, former MP Gopal Shetty, and MLAs Sanjay Upadhyay and Vinod Shelar. A huge air-conditioned pandal has been set up at the Sant Savlaram Maharaj Krida Sankul. Grand entrance arches, LED screens and dazzling LED lights have been installed, and popular singers have been hired to perform at the event, he added.
“BJP state president Ravindra Chavan has organised the extravagant Navratri event ‘Namo Ramo Ramjat 2026’ in Dombivli with an expenditure of approximately ₹ 1.5 crore per day. The event costs ₹ 18-20 crore,” alleged Londhe. He also alleged that festivities organised by BJP functionaries could cost as much as ₹100 crore over nine days.
His objection, he said, was to what he described as conspicuous spending at a time when farmers were facing severe distress. Earlier reporting noted: “Lavish celebrations amid the agricultural crisis amounted to insensitivity towards farmers,” he said.
Earlier reporting noted: Londhe clarified that Congress did not oppose Garba or devotion to the goddess. BJP leaders are spending exorbitant sums on garba events even as large parts of the state have been declared drought-hit, said state Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe in Nagpur on Saturday While the BJP-led Mahayuti government has appealed for austerity. Earlier reporting noted: Congress Targets BJP Over Spending on Festivities Nagpur: Questioning govt’s priorities, Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe on Saturday accused BJP of extravagant spending on Navratri Garba celebrations at a time when drought-hit farmers are struggling to make ends meet.
And why is the Congress only targeting Hindu religious functions?”
“While it is important for the younger generation to understand the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, questions have been raised over the need to spend crores on a grand event during a drought,” said Londhe. “With drought particularly severe across Marathwada, critics have questioned whether political leaders should not demonstrate greater social sensitivity.’’ BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban said, “All BJP leaders organising functions have made their contribution to the CM’s relief fund for drought relief.
