Nagpur: Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday vehemently denied reports that he had apologised in connection with the Chandrapur mayoral loss, terming the claims ‘mischievous and politically motivated’.“I have done nothing wrong. Why should I apologise?” Wadettiwar told the media here and alleged that “vested interests are deliberately planting such stories” to create confusion and damage his reputation.Taking a swipe at his detractors, Wadettiwar said those “who could not win their own municipal council are now questioning others,” suggesting that the reports were an attempt to divert attention from their own political setbacks.The Bramhapuri MLA said the proposed India-US trade agreement will strike at the “very roots” of Indian farmers while announcing a statewide protest in Yavatmal on March 7. Regarding his meeting with party leaders in Delhi, Wadettiwar said discussions focused exclusively on the trade pact and its implications for agriculture. “The new agreement will harm farmers in India. Cotton, maize, tur and soybean growers in Maharashtra will be hit hard,” he said.He alleged that goods imported from the US would attract zero per cent duty, while Indian exports would face a 10% tariff. “This unequal policy will completely devastate farmers,” he said, noting that cotton was currently selling at ₹4,500 per quintal and maize at ₹1,500, while soybean prices had sharply declined.Wadettiwar accused the govt of prioritizing land acquisition for Shaktipeeth highway project over farmers’ concerns and of acting against protesting cultivators. He further alleged that 22,000 schools had shut across Maharashtra and 4,000 were functioning without teachers, claiming there was a deliberate move to close Marathi schools in Mumbai. Raising concerns over incidents in Sinnar and Badlapur, he said law and order had deteriorated and demanded a special investigation team.Referring to Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Wadettiwar said legal cases would not deter the Congress from continuing its fight.
