Shiv Sena invites ire of allies over crop loan waiver.
Sena gags its leaders after the allies register strong objections.
Ashwin Aghor
Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray claims to be an ‘Agriculture-Illiterate’ and being under able patronage of Sharad Pawar when it comes to any issue related to agriculture. But, he seems to be rapid learner when it comes to grab the credit of any achievement of his tripod government. This has irked the other two pillars of the government. Even before the government completed one month in office, and cabinet expansion could take place, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears to have hit the troubled waters.
Thackeray announced farm loan waiver, though with riders, this week. The decision was hailed by the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders with equal zest. They did not mince a word to praise Thackeray for the decision. On the other hand, Thackeray, too, very humbly admitted that he was a novice when it came to agriculture and allied activities including the terminologies.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Pune on Wednesday, Thackeray admitted that he was learning under NCP chief Shard Pawar on agricultural issues.
While the NCP leaders thought that was the unique gesture for a politician to openly admit one’s drawbacks, their joy was short lived as Shiv Sena put up hoardings across the state claiming credit for the farm loan waiver. The hoardings, in Shiv Sena trade mark saffron colour had the party punch line ‘Karun Dakhavla’ (We did it!) taking the entire credit for farm loan waiver announced by the chief minister.
Names of the other ally parties were missing from the hoardings, leave alone names and photographs of Congress and NCP leaders. The hoarding only bears the photographs of late Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. The hoardings have rattled the Congress and NCP leaders.
A senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named, said, “How can Shiv Sena alone take credit for the announcement? Are we not part of the government? Was it only Shiv Sena that is running the government and taking the decisions? This is totally unacceptable. Sena leadership must restrain from such acts.”
The anger in Congress and NCP appears to have reached Shiv Sena leadership as the later has immediately gone on back foot. The party has gagged its leaders on the issue. A veteran Sena leader and former minister who did not wished to be named, said, “We have been instructed not to react to the issue.” However, the leader said that the credit for farm loan waiter goes to all the three parties in government. Sena had been demanding the complete farm loan waiver since long and it was one of the main poll promises of the party. “The hoardings must have been put by enthusiastic party workers,” the leader said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised the government for misleading farmers of the state by announcing the hollow farm loan waiver. “There are lot of disputes among the three allies. Basically, the farm loan waiver announced is nothing but mere eyewash. The farmers will never get benefit of the same. It laughable to take credit of something which will be implemented after four months. Instead of indulging in politics over this bogus loan waiver, CM Thackeray should give the Rs25,000 per hectare aide as promised,” said Keshav Upadhye, spokesperson, BJP.
