Maharashtra Leaders Eat Dry Fruits at Drought Review Meet, Sparking Row
· India · Hindustan Times, Indian Express
Maharashtra ministers, MPs, and MLAs faced sharp opposition criticism after a video of them eating dry fruits during a drought review meeting in Nanded went viral. The meeting was convened to discuss the severe water shortage and deficient rainfall in the Marathwada region, which received 424.5 mm of rainfall between June and September, amounting to 69.2% of its average. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Ambadas Danve condemned the act as insensitive, citing crop failures and over 400 farmer suicides in the region. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed the local administration was responsible for arranging the snacks while acknowledging that such matters demand greater sensitivity. Agriculture department officials estimate that at least 25% of standing crops across eight districts in Marathwada have been damaged due to the prolonged dry spell.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the political fallout over administrative protocol during agrarian crises, directly impacting public trust among farmers facing severe drought and crop losses in Maharashtra.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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