Shiv Sena vows to waive farm loans on coming to power

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday made an emotional appeal to farmers and sought assurance from them that no one would commit suicide in the state.

Mr Thackeray was touring Aurangabad district to assess damage caused to crops due to unseasonal rains. “I have come here to give you justice. You should not even think of suicide. I will try to provide you maximum assistance,” the Sena chief told farmers.

Slamming the state government, he said that the `10,000 crore assistance announced was not enough and that farmers should be given a financial aid of `25,000 per hectare.

“The unseasonal rains have resulted into total damage of crops. The `10,000 crore package for farmers is inadequate. Nothing can be done with such a paltry amount. The farmers should be given an aid of `25,000 per hectare immediately without putting any conditions,” he said.

He promised the farmers that their loans would be waived off after Sena comes to power in the state.

The Sena chief added that the government should declare ‘wet drought’ in the state.

Later, speaking to reporters, Mr Thackeray mocked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ pre-poll promise “Me punha yein (I will return to power)” by likening it to the “withdrawing the monsoon”.  

On the last day of the legislature session before the Assembly polls, Mr Fadnavis had said he would return as chief minister for another term.

Meanwhile, Mr Thackeray sidestepped the issue of government formation, only adding that his focus was on providing appropriate financial assistance to farmers.