Uddhav Thackeray attacks PM Modi’s govt, calls it anti-farmer

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government on various issues during his Marathwada tour on Sunday while addressing a Kisan Rally in Aurangabad.

Terming the government, “anti-farmer,” Mr Thackeray said that to save the farmers, “We need to throw out this government.” He also raised questions over sugar imports from Pakistan despite a bumper crop on domestic front.

After declaring its decision of contesting future elections independently, the Sena chief has started his tour of Maharashtra. He will go to every region of the state and address rallies, party workers meetings as well as meet local civil society members. A part of this programme was started on Sunday when Mr Thackeray reached Aurangabad’s Paithan tehsil.

“Our country is having so many sugar mills. There is a bumper crop of sugarcane for the last two years. Despite this, the Modi government imported sugar from Pakistan. Does this government find the taste of domestic sugar bitter? Do we want to keep this government in power?” asked Mr Thackeray.

Mr Thackeray also spoke about his decision to contest elections independently. “For 25 years, we accommodated the Bharatiya Janata Party. We did everything that one friend does for another. We took them into our house, fulfilled all their demands. But now they don’t understand it. They have encroached in our home. We will fight on our own and win,” he said.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has arranged a rally on Saturday in Aurangabad.