Eknath Shinde Addresses Farmers' Needs at Dussehra Rally
At a Dussehra rally, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde announces aid for drought-affected farmers while countering allegations of vote theft against Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde announces relief measures for farmers, including aid trucks and sewing machines.
He defends the ₹5,000 payment to farmers as part of festival support, not a final sum.
Shinde accuses Thackeray's faction of vote theft in 2019, calling it a 'robbery of democracy.'
During a Dussehra rally, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde leveraged the occasion to announce significant relief efforts for farmers affected by drought. He emphasized the Shiv Sena's commitment to supporting farmers in distress, stating that the party's founder, Balasaheb Thackeray, would have prioritized helping those in need over celebratory events. Shinde flagged off 100 trucks loaded with aid destined for drought-stricken districts, showcasing the party's proactive approach to addressing agricultural hardships.
In addition to immediate relief, Shinde highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the distribution of 25,000 sewing machines to women in farming families and bicycles for school-going girls in Parbhani. He also mentioned plans to support group weddings for daughters of farmers, whose marriages have been delayed due to drought conditions. Responding to criticism regarding a ₹5,000 payment to farmers ahead of Diwali, Shinde clarified that this was merely a festival payment and not the final assistance package, assuring that further government concessions and drought compensation would follow.
Shinde also discussed the financial provisions made for farmers, citing a budget allocation of ₹32,000 crore for loan waivers. He criticized previous administrations for neglecting farmers who repaid their loans on time, asserting that he had previously provided financial assistance to these farmers. He noted that, in addition to the ₹6,000 annual support from the central government, farmers were receiving direct aid, challenging critics to demonstrate their own contributions during the drought.
The Deputy CM addressed allegations regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs) and accusations of vote theft, particularly aimed at Uddhav Thackeray's faction. He claimed that the real vote theft occurred in 2019 when Thackeray's group formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government against the voters' mandate. Shinde questioned how current MPs, who are now protesting the integrity of EVMs, were able to secure their positions if the machines were indeed tampered with.
Looking ahead, Shinde reiterated that changes in governance should come through elections and pointed out that voters had rejected Thackeray's faction multiple times. He concluded by asserting that a regime change had already occurred within the Thackeray-led party itself, indicating ongoing political shifts in Maharashtra's landscape.
