Babasaheb Patil Admits Politicians Dangle Loan Waivers to Win Votes

In a stunning display of candor that’s ignited a firestorm across Maharashtra, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has stirred controversy by claiming that people have become “obsessed” with farm loan waivers, while admitting that politicians dangle such promises purely to win elections. Speaking at a public event—clips of which exploded across regional news channels on Friday, October 10, 2025—the minister’s remarks have drawn sharp rebukes, even from allies within the ruling Mahayuti coalition, as farmers reel from devastating crop losses caused by September’s torrential rains and floods.

Patil, a key figure under Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, didn’t hold back, stating, “People have become obsessed with loan waivers. We politicians want to get elected, so we give assurances during elections, but it’s the people who must decide what they really want to demand.” He recounted an anecdote of a village demanding a river during a campaign, met with a politician’s flippant promise to deliver one, to underscore his point: voters need to think critically about their demands. “We make promises because we want to win, but these things need serious thought,” he added, a blunt confession that’s riled up critics who see it as trivializing farmers’ genuine distress.

The backlash was swift, with BJP’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule distancing the coalition from Patil’s comments. “Nobody should make casual remarks on loan waivers,” Bawankule snapped, emphasizing the acute financial strain farmers face after floods ravaged 68.69 lakh hectares of crops across Marathwada and beyond. He reaffirmed the Mahayuti manifesto’s pledge for loan waivers for eligible farmers, noting that a statewide survey is underway to identify those in dire need, with a decision pending its completion. The coalition’s commitment was further underscored by Tuesday’s announcement of a Rs 31,628 crore compensation package for flood-hit farmers, though opposition parties continue to clamor for a blanket loan waiver to ease the burden.

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Patil’s remarks come at a politically charged moment, with Maharashtra’s rural heartland seething over the government’s response to the agricultural crisis. The floods, which obliterated livelihoods in September, have amplified calls for relief, making the minister’s comments a lightning rod for criticism. Opposition leaders have pounced, accusing the Mahayuti government of insensitivity toward farmers who’ve toiled for years but remain trapped in debt. As the state gears up for potential electoral battles, Patil’s gaffe risks alienating a crucial voter base, raising questions about whether the coalition’s promises are sincere—or just more election-time bait to hook desperate votes.

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