Maharashtra Govt deliberately ignoring Marathwada region-Uddhav Tahckeray.
Aurangabad: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday demanded relief to farmers affected by drought like situation in the state and alleged that the government was deliberately ignoring developmental activities in Marathwada region.
Speaking at an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra, Uddhav said that farmers were suffering due to crop loss and a drought-like situation in the region.
Criticising the BJP-led Mahayuti government for failing to come to the rescue of farmers, he said, “Tum Se Na Ho Payega” (You Won’t Be Able to Do It). The event was organised on the occasion of ‘Hyderabad Muktisangram Din’, also known as ‘Marathwada Liberation Day’. It may be recalled that present-day central Maharashtra was part of the princely Hyderabad State and was liberated from the Nizam’s rule and got liberation on September 17, 1948. He said that there was a backlog of development worth Rs 60,000 crore.
The former CM lashed at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his visit to New Delhi on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. He said even the MPs who defected from his party to the ruling camp do notot have the spine to take up the issue of delay of development of the region.
He said that while Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel pushed the Army into this area to liberate it from the Nizam rule, the BJP pushed forces in West Bengal to win polls because they have no courage to do that in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Taking pot shots at the government, Uddhav said that the government had recently gave bull to a farmer from Latur who had lost one of his bulls to a lightning strike but it was found to be unwell. “The government which cannot even give a healthy bull to a farmer cannot be expected to take care of the people of Marathwada,” he added.
He felt that the government which spent huge amounts on advertisements on the occasion of Modi’s birthday, could have utilised it for the development of Marathwada.
The former chief minister said it appears that the government was still looking for an auspicious day to start drought relief works. He said it should learn from the Karnataka government which had announced drought-affected areas in August. The Maharashtra government, it is learnt, has now decided to make some announcement on October 5. He was apparently referring to the statement of Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis who earlier in the day said that state would provide financial assistance to farmers from its own resources while waiting for aid from NDRF fund.
Calling the government anti-farmers, he said last year when there was excess rain, and farmers suffered, the government failed to come to their rescue.
Speaking further, Thackeray asked Shiv Sena (UBT) workers to monitor crop loss surveys and mobilise farmers irrespective of caste and religion.
”If Gen Z can take the resignation of a minister (referring to then-Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan), then why can’t we do that? Party workers should tell CM Fadnavis that he will not come into power again. They should keep an eye on crop loss surveys and unite farmers in villages irrespective of caste and religion,” he asserted.
“As many as 13 irrigation projects were announced and Rs 13,000 crore was allocated for them in 2023. But only Rs 800 crore-Rs 900 crore has been given till date,” he claimed.