Uddhav Thackeray promises annual monetary help to all farmers

Addressing a campaign rally in Sangamner in Maharashtra on Wednesday, October 10, Shiv Sena (SS) president Uddhav Thackeray promised that upon re-election, the government would commence a new scheme depositing at least Rs 10,000 in every farmer’s bank account on a yearly basis. He asserted that he will ensure that the farmers are free from debt as well as stress. Interestingly, his younger son Tejas Thackeray was present in this rally. Thackeray also took a dig at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Supremo, Sharad Pawar. In a reference to Pawar being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the SS Chief asserted that he deserved this treatment after failing to fulfil his promises in the last 60 years.  

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He said, “You could not complete developmental works even after giving you power for 60 years.” Thackeray added, “Now, you reap the fruits of what you have sown.” 

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The 2015 promise 

Incidentally, this is not the first occasion when the SS chief has promised monetary help to the farmers. In November 2015, he visited drought-hit areas of Marathwada, and during this visit, he assured that his party will hand over Rs 10,000 to every affected farmer. Furthermore, he declared the commitment of the SS to take care of the education of the farmer’s children. 

Read: Uddhav Thackeray: 'Will Deal With The Murderers Of Aarey Forest'

‘Will make party member CM’ 

Despite SS being the junior partner in the alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra, Thackeray has been making several statements that have indicated his desire for the real power to vest within his party. Earlier this week, in an interview to his party’s mouthpiece Saamana, he recalled his promise to Balasaheb Thackeray of making a party member the Chief Minister of the state.  

“I will not do farming or any other profession. I will not retire from politics. Till I don’t fulfill my promise made to Balasaheb, I will not be satisfied. I will make his Shiv Sainik the CM of Maharashtra at any cost. Till this happens, I won’t leave politics,” Thackeray observed. 

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