Mumbai: The Mahavikas Morcha today called for a Maharashtra bandh to protest against the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. In fact, it has been discontinued by the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena and their call has been termed as a sham by the leader of the opposition and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Addressing media persons today, he said, "2,000 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra so far after the Mahavikas Morcha government came to power. Farmers have suffered heavy losses due to recent rains and floods. No help was provided to them. They have no time to wipe away the tears of the farmers of Marathwada. The Guardian Minister has not even gone there so far. If there is sympathy for the farmers, why not announce a Mega Development Front package for the farmers of Marathwada?"

He further said, "The farmers who asked for Maval water were shot dead. Then they do not see Jallianwala Bagh. Four days ago, when farmers agitate in Rajasthan and that movement is crushed with sticks, these People of the Mahavikas Morcha Government do not say anything. We believe that the Lakhimpur incident is tragic. The Government there is taking action for this. But the Mahavikas Morcha is pretending to shed tears for them. If they really cared for the farmers, they would have given relief to the farmers of Maharashtra.'' He said this on comparing NCP chief Sharad Pawar's Lakhimpur Kheri violence to Jallianwala Bagh. At the same time, he also said that government machinery is being misused to make the Maharashtra bandh a success.

He further said, "The leaders of the Mahavikas Morcha are pressing for a forced shutdown. This is state terrorism. The bandh is not supported by the general public. The High Court has ordered a ban on such a bandh. It is contempt of the High Court. We appeal to the High Court to take cognizance of the matter. For the first time in the history of independent India, people belonging to the same government which is responsible for running law and order hold meetings and decide on the bandh in the cabinet meeting. In Maharashtra, the Constitution is being flouted.''

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