In what is turning out to be an embarrassment for the ruling Shiv Sena, it has been revealed that 27 of the 40 party MLAs sent to rural Maharashtra to take stock of the farmers’ condition, and submit a report, to party chief Uddhav Thackeray did not actually go to their allotted areas. Instead, they chose to “work from home”.
Mr. Thackeray on Friday slammed his MLAs for the “absolute negligence” and “utter carelessness” towards farmers’ issues, especially when intensifying agrarian problems are putting the state government on the back foot.
On Sunday, Mr. Thackeray had visited Aurangabad, in Marathwada region, to meet elected representatives who had been sent out to meet farmers and prepare a report. “We demand farm loan waiver for farmers of Maharashtra. We have always said this and continue on our position. To push forward the demand, we are launching our campaign to make farmers debt free. The concept and execution of it will be disclosed at a party’s meeting in Mumbai, within few days,” Mr Thackeray had said in Aurangabad.
Each of the 40 MLAs was allotted a constituency other than his/her own for the ground visit. According to sources, some MLAs are reported to have sent their proxies. “He was extremely unhappy with the feedback that 27 of his MLAs chose to not follow his orders. Not only did he warn them to not do this in future but has also decided to tighten the organisational set up in the coming months,” said a senior party leader who attended Friday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, Opposition was quick to slam Sena. “If they cannot even go to villages, will they be able to solve their issues? What expectations should one have? ” said Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
