Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Saamana Condemns Dry Fruit Feast Amid Maharashtra Drought
Many parts of Maharashtra are facing very little rain and damaged crops.
Farmers in several regions say their soybean, cotton, and other crops have dried up.
During a meeting about the drought in Nanded, politicians were photographed eating cashews, almonds, and other dry fruits.
Saamana, the newspaper linked to Shiv Sena (UBT), said this showed a lack of concern for farmers.
MP Bandu Jadhav said he ate because he was hungry and questioned the criticism.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the eating display was improper.
The Thackeray camp also questioned whether promised aid and loan waivers would reach farmers.
It asked the government to provide money, water, animal fodder, and fee relief quickly.
Saamana accused the MahaYuti government of insensitivity during drought-like conditions across Maharashtra.
The criticism followed images of officials and politicians eating expensive dry fruits at a Nanded review meeting.
Shiv Sena (UBT) said crops across Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha had been ruined by scanty rainfall.
MP Bandu Jadhav defended eating the dry fruits, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the episode improper.
The Thackeray camp demanded statewide drought status, direct aid, loan waivers, fodder camps, and water supplies.
- Who
- Saamana and the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the MahaYuti government, including Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane, MP Bandu Jadhav, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- A political dispute followed a dry fruit feast at a drought review meeting and broader criticism of the government’s response to crop losses.
- When
- The incident occurred during a recent drought review meeting as the monsoon retreated; the article does not provide an exact date.
- Where
- The review meeting was held in Nanded, Maharashtra, while reported crop damage affected Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha.
- Why
- Shiv Sena (UBT) said the feast and government response showed insensitivity toward farmers facing drought-like conditions and crop failure.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Saamana
MahaYuti Government Representatives
Meaning of the dry fruit feast
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Saamana
Saamana described the feast during a drought meeting as insensitive and as an insult to farmers facing crop losses.
MahaYuti Government Representatives
MP Bandu Jadhav defended the meal, saying he was hungry and questioning criticism over dry fruits reportedly worth Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.
Responsibility for the incident
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Saamana
The Thackeray camp argued that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as head of the administration, should accept responsibility and that politicians should have rejected the food.
MahaYuti Government Representatives
Fadnavis attributed the improper feasting to the administration and urged officials to act sensitively.
Relief and government assurances
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Saamana
Shiv Sena (UBT) expressed doubts that crop assessments, financial aid, and earlier loan-waiver announcements were reaching farmers, and demanded immediate statewide measures.
MahaYuti Government Representatives
The government was described as promising official crop assessments and financial aid, although the article does not provide a detailed defense of those measures.
- Meeting location
- Nanded, Maharashtra
- Drought-affected regions cited
- Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha
- Crops identified as damaged
- Soybean, cotton, bajra, maize, tur, moong, and urad
- Proposed direct assistance
- Rs 50,000 per hectare for affected farmers
- Incident criticized
- Officials and politicians were photographed eating cashews, almonds, and premium dry fruits at a drought review meeting
- Government response
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the feasting improper and urged officials to remain sensitive
- Additional demands
- Statewide drought declaration, blanket agricultural-loan waiver, fodder camps, drinking water, and a special Assembly session