Onion Crisis: Mahayuti's Poll Setback in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar highlighted that discontent among onion growers due to low prices contributed to the Mahayuti alliance's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The alliance faced setbacks especially in onion-growing regions, attributed to a temporary onion export ban by the Centre.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar acknowledged on Friday that discontent among onion growers over issues related to low prices significantly contributed to the dismal performance of the ruling Mahayuti in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Pawar stated the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP alliance faced heavy losses across the onion-growing belt, including in Nashik, where the ruling coalition struggled in the polls.

This statement follows remarks from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who admitted farm distress played a role in the alliance's defeat. Shinde noted, 'Onions made us cry in Nashik, soybean and cotton in Marathwada and Vidarbha.' Pawar emphasized the importance of a support price for onions to protect both farmers and consumers.

The Mahayuti coalition suffered setbacks in almost all Lok Sabha seats in the onion-growing regions except for Jalgaon and Raver. The Centre's ban on onion exports in December last year, aimed at controlling retail prices, sparked protests particularly in the Nashik region. The ban was lifted in early May.

The Shiv Sena and its ally BJP lost the Nashik and Dindori Lok Sabha seats, respectively, winning only one seat in Marathwada and two in Vidarbha.