On April 26, 2025, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar faced significant protests in Parbhani over his recent comments regarding crop insurance schemes. Members of the Kisan Sabha and Youth Congress disrupted his visit by throwing lime powder at his convoy. The protests were sparked by Pawar’s remarks that farmers were misusing crop insurance funds for personal expenses, such as weddings, rather than investing them back into agriculture .

These comments have ignited a political storm in Maharashtra. Opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), have accused the ruling coalition of betraying farmers by not fulfilling promises made during elections. Pawar had previously stated that the government could not waive crop loans immediately due to financial constraints, leading to further criticism from opposition leaders .​

In response to the protests, Pawar proceeded with his official meetings, emphasizing the need to prevent the misappropriation of development funds. The police detained several protesters during the incident .​

The controversy over crop loan waivers and the handling of crop insurance funds continues to be a contentious issue in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Sources