Shiv Sena claims loan credit

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the credit for the state government’s decision to give Rs 34,022 crore loan waiver to farmers in Maharashtra. “The alliance of farmers and the Shiv Sena struggled for this loan waiver,” said Mr Thackeray in Aurangabad on Sunday.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis declared farm loan waiver on Saturday after holding a special state cabinet meet. Despite being a part of the BJP-led government in the state, the Shiv Sena has repeatedly criticised the state government.

Mr Thackeray claimed that farmers from across the state along with Shiv Sena won the battle of loan waiver against the state government. “Farmers from the state hit the streets. Shiv Sena was supporting them. Our ministers raised the issue in the cabinet as well as in the Assembly. This loan waiver is the result of that struggle,” claimed Mr Thackeray.

In a veiled attack on the BJP and Union minister for urban development Venkaiah Naidu who had recently called loan waiver a “fashion”, Mr Thackeray said, “You know, people those who think loan waiver is a fashion were forced to give it.”

Mr Thackeray had launched ‘Shetkari Samwad Yatra’, demanding complete loan waiver for the farmers in the state. Mr Thackeray said, “We will continue our agitation as they’re still a few issues of farmers which need to be addressed by the government. The police has booked farmers who were agitating for their rights. The Shiv Sena will protest if those charges aren’t revoked,” said Mr Thackeray.

The farmers’ strike, which started on June 1, was launched from Puntambe village of Ahmednagar district. Mr Thackeray visited the village on Sunday. “We are aware that still a few issues of farmers in Nashik-Ahmednagar belt have not been addressed. We must form a special committee for the farmers in this belt. Shiv Sena will raise this demand,” assured Mr Thackeray.