NCP (SP) MLA <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/farm-loan-waiver-issue-rohit-pawar-ends-hunger-strike-after-govt-assurance-23635218" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Rohit Pawar</a> on Monday warned that farmers and Opposition leaders would intensify their agitation against the Maharashtra government if concerns regarding the recently announced farm loan waiver scheme are not addressed.
Pawar said a major protest has been planned for June 29 and indicated that demonstrators could resort to road blockades if the government fails to revise conditions attached to the scheme.
"We will continue the road blockade until the government makes a decision. We cannot trust this government," Pawar said while speaking to ANI.
The warning comes amid an ongoing political debate over the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-opposition-demands-complete-farm-loan-waiver-ahead-of-monsoon-session-23636273" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra government's farm loan waiver package</a>, with Opposition parties demanding a blanket waiver and fewer eligibility conditions.
<h2>Pawar targets Shinde over Nashik MLC result</h2>
Pawar also used the opportunity to criticise Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, linking his remarks to the recent Maharashtra Legislative Council election results.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Mumbai | On farm loan waiver scheme of Maha govt, NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar says, "On 29th June, there will be a massive agitation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. We will continue the road blockade until the government makes a decision. We cannot trust this traitor&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/kSWhALGqbo">pic.twitter.com/kSWhALGqbo</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2068958939182735829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Referring to the political slogan "Operation Tiger", often used by leaders of the ruling alliance in the context of defections from Opposition parties, Pawar claimed the outcome in Nashik had altered the political narrative.
"Till yesterday, Eknath Shinde was likening 'Operation Tiger', but when you look at the Nashik results, the hunter 'Tiger' got hunted."
He reiterated the criticism while speaking about recent political developments in the state.
"Till yesterday, Eknath Shinde was supporting 'Operation Tiger', but looking at the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mahayuti-sweeps-maharashtra-mlc-polls-wins-16-of-17-seats-23636288" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Nashik results</a>, it appears that the hunter himself has been hunted," Pawar remarked.
The comments came after the Nashik seat emerged as the only setback for the ruling alliance in an otherwise dominant performance in the Legislative Council elections.
<h2>Mahayuti dominates MLC elections</h2>
The ruling Mahayuti alliance won 16 of the 17 Legislative Council seats for which results were declared on Monday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the biggest winner, securing 11 seats, while the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde won three seats and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar secured two seats.
The only constituency that did not elect an official Mahayuti candidate was Nashik, where Independent candidate and BJP rebel Gokul Gite defeated Shiv Sena nominee Narendra Darade.
The result was viewed as a rare setback for the ruling alliance amid an otherwise sweeping victory across Maharashtra.
<h2>Farm loan waiver remains key political issue</h2>
The Opposition has continued to press the government over the<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/navi-mumbai-protest-ncp-sp-raises-concerns-over-unemployment-and-soaring-prices-23633435" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"> farm loan waiver scheme</a> announced earlier this month.
Several Opposition leaders, including Rohit Pawar, have argued that the conditions attached to the scheme could prevent many farmers from benefiting from the relief package.
They have demanded a comprehensive waiver without what they describe as restrictive eligibility criteria.
The issue is expected to dominate discussions during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature, with Opposition parties planning to intensify pressure on the government.
<h2>Political tensions rise amid rebellion in Shiv Sena (UBT)</h2>
The remarks also come at a time of heightened political activity in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/allies-may-feel-betrayed-rohit-pawar-warns-of-internal-shake-up-in-ruling-camp-in-maharashtra-23625345" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra</a>, with reports suggesting that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar welcomed the possibility, saying the move would strengthen both the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and the NDA government at the Centre.
"This will strengthen the Mahayuti. The NDA government at the Centre will become stronger. We all want the Central government to become stronger under the leadership of PM Modi. The country's progress will be further strengthened with the support of these people," Kesarkar said.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of attempting to engineer defections to increase its strength in Parliament.
"Today they are breaking our MPs and MLAs as they are willing to change the constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Voters prevented them in 2024, and they got only 240 MPs, but now they are trying that again by breaking parties; their main aim is to change the constitution," Thackeray said.
He further criticised rebel MPs from his party and defended the mandate received by the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
"All these people were elected on <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/uddhav-thackeray-to-launch-state-wide-outreach-campaign-amid-rebellion-buzz-in-shiv-sena-ubt-23636294" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Shiv Sena (UBT)</a> with the help of MVA allies, and now they are switching to the other side against the people's mandate," he said.
With farmers' issues and political realignments dominating the state's political discourse, the coming weeks are expected to witness both legislative confrontations and protests on the ground.
(With inputs from ANI)

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar warns of road blockades from June 29 if Maharashtra fails to ease farm loan waiver conditions, escalating pressure on state government

Farm loan waiver row: Rohit Pawar warns of statewide agitation

Shiv Sena (UBT) rebellions: Aaditya Thackeray says rebel MPs sold out mandate given by voters 

Pawar said a major protest has been planned for June 29 and indicated that demonstrators could resort to road blockades if the government fails to revise conditions attached to the scheme

Rohit Pawar warns of road blockade over Maharashtra farm loan waiver

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