Mumbai, Nov 11 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a fierce critique against the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, accusing it of negligence and falsehood regarding its unfulfilled commitment to a complete farm loan waiver.

In a pointed editorial in Saamana, the Sena (UBT) highlighted that the leaders of the ruling coalition are increasingly being revealed for their indifference towards farmers, particularly due to their callous remarks. A recent example cited was the statement from Water Resources Minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, who at an event in Pandharpur, ridiculed the call for a farm loan waiver, saying, “Form a cooperative society, take a loan, get it waived, and then again demand loan waiver. This has been going on for many years.”

The Thackeray camp criticized Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil's comments, asserting that they highlight the hypocrisy and deception of the current administration, which not only disrespects farmers but also exposes their lies.

“Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil’s venom is alarming. If a distressed, debt-stricken farmer reacts to a call from farmer leader Bachchu Kadu -- ‘Smash Vikhe-Patil’s car and receive a reward of one lakh rupees’ -- how can that farmer be held responsible?” the editorial questioned.

The Thackeray camp stated that the recent relief package for flood-affected farmers announced by the government is insufficient, emphasizing that a complete farm loan waiver is the only viable solution to support farmers battling financial turmoil.

It further emphasized that a loan waiver is not a mere gesture from the government; it is a vital necessity and a right for farmers, who are the annadatas (food providers) of the nation.

“During the Assembly election campaign, these leaders pledged to waive farm loans. Yet, after winning, they remain silent. The same individuals who mock farmers hesitate to even utter the word ‘loan waiver’. Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil exemplifies this attitude. Are they truly farmers? They are cooperative magnates. Therefore, how could they possibly comprehend the struggles of ordinary, debt-burdened farmers or the families of those who have tragically taken their lives due to debt?” the editorial continued.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena maintained that farmers' demands for a full loan waiver are entirely justified. Whether for kharif or rabi, erratic weather conditions annually devastate crops. Often, re-sowing efforts prove futile, exacerbating their debt situation. Moreover, government compensation or crop insurance payouts are woefully inadequate.

“Individuals in power, like Vikhe-Patil, neither recognize this urgent need nor concede the right to a loan waiver. Meanwhile, they construct their sugar factories with government funds, which later suffer due to mismanagement and corruption. Subsequently, they acquire these distressed factories at bargain prices, only to extract billions in loans from the government again,” the editorial noted.

According to the editorial, the sugar factories established by politicians in the name of farmers ultimately transformed those politicians into wealth accumulators. They later leveraged that wealth to dominate other sectors, including education.

“Their political ventures thrived on this very foundation. Yet, the average sugarcane grower, for whom all this was purportedly done, remains in the same dire situation. Even today, he does not receive a fair price for his sugarcane. Had he been paid fairly, he would not have needed to form cooperative societies, would not have fallen into debt, and individuals like Vikhe-Patil would not dare to mock him regarding loan waivers,” the editorial concluded.

The editorial further accused ruling party leaders of being involved in dubious land deals worth Rs 1,800 crore while belittling farmers’ demands. “The Deputy Chief Minister questions how everything can be free, the Chief Minister continues to postpone loan waivers with ‘date after date’, and now their Water Resources Minister adds insult to injury with his derision,” it stated.