The Shiv Sena has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “neglecting” Maharashtra in drought relief, even while showering money on Bihar. In an editorial in Saamna , the Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP, said the Rs. 1,600 crore raised by the BJP-led government in the State through surcharges on commodities might not be enough for relief measures. This was akin to “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” It called on the Centre to be sensitive to the plight of farmers in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, where hundreds have committed suicide in recent months.
The editorial said Maharashtra did not need a special package of Rs.1.25 lakh crore that the Centre announced for Bihar; just Rs.20,000 crore-Rs. 25,000 crore was enough to help out the farmers.
