Fadnavis busy in Bihar, leaving Maharashtra farmers in lurch: Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) lashed out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said that he was busy in Bihar but left farmers in a difficult situation in his state.

He said that the June 30, 2026 deadline given by the government for the agricultural loan waiver decision for farmers affected by rain and floods in the state was “unacceptable”.

Mr. Thackeray also said that if the government plans to waive loans, the CM should clarify whether farmers will have to continue paying their installments.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief began his four-day Marathwada tour on Wednesday (November 5) from Nandar village in Paithan taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he interacted with farmers. He also visited Pali village in Beed and is scheduled to travel to Pathrud, Shirsav (Dharashiv) and Ghari (Solapur) villages later in the day.

Speaking in Pali village, Mr. Thackeray said, “People should unite and teach the present government a lesson. I am here with you and the CM is in Bihar. Here the farmers are in trouble. But they are wandering around Bihar, leaving the farmers in this situation. Here (BJP-led government) they are giving the benefits of Ladki Bahin scheme only to two members of a family, but in Bihar they are giving Rs 10,000 to every woman.” “This is because elections are being held in Bihar.”

“There is a video of the Prime Minister saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi loves Bihar the most. So, is Maharashtra their stepson? They enjoy power here but use such language there. The Prime Minister should love the entire country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” he said.

Elections to the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly will be held in Bihar on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14.

Mr Thackeray urged people not to be fooled by the government’s “hollow” promises.

“The ruling parties are making empty promises and announcing plans as the elections approach. People fall into their trap. It is time for farmers to unite and teach the current government a lesson. The government must be brought to its knees. We will ask questions about farmers in the next parliament.”

Mr. Fadnavis last week announced that the decision on farm loan waiver will be taken by June 30 next year, stating that ensuring farmers receive compensation for flood relief and also preparing for Rabi sowing is the first priority.

Criticizing the government over the timeline, Thackeray said in Nandar village: “This date is not acceptable to us. We are demanding ₹50,000 per hectare from farmers as compensation for their losses. Farmers also need loan waiver now. The government says it wants to look into this issue.”

“We previously carried out this study during my government and the details are still in the hands of the government. Our government later granted loan exemption,” he said.

He stated that the state government has given a new date of June 30 next year for loan waiver.

“If the loan will be lifted in June (next year), should the farmer pay his installments now or not? If yes, where should the farmer pay this amount?” asked Mr. Thackeray.

He demanded that farmers now be given loan waivers.

“The government had earlier said that it would pay compensation to farmers due to excessive rainfall and floods by Diwali (last month). But Diwali has passed… the government is only giving new dates. We do not accept the June date for loan waiver. Loan waiver should now be given to farmers itself,” he emphasized.

Last month, the State government announced a ₹31,628 crore relief package for farmers affected by the August-September floods that damaged crops in over 68.7 lakh hectares in 29 districts.

Targeting the Mahayuti government on this issue, Mr. Thackeray said, “The package announced by the state for the farmers is also unacceptable. However, they have to at least give what they have declared. We had requested that at least 1 lakh rupees be deposited into the accounts of the farmers by Diwali. But this too was not fulfilled.”

He claimed that single-digit amounts of compensation were paid into the accounts of some farmers.

“Farmers in Palghar and Akola received Rs 2 crore as assistance in their accounts. A farmer here received Rs 6 crore as compensation,” he added.

At the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, he said there was anger among officials over the delay in giving compensation to farmers.

“The government has only announced the funds and has not released any funds yet. So what will the authorities do?” he asked.

Farmers are required to vote (in local elections) only after receiving loan exemption. Sena (UBT) chief said farmers should come together on this issue.

“We demand that farmers get compensation of ₹50,000 per hectare for losses,” he said.

Referring to former MLA and Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) leader Bachchu Kadu’s recent protest seeking farm loan waiver, Thackeray said, “We are happy that someone has started an agitation against farmers. But the government called the agitators and made an empty promise of loan waiver. The date of the loan waiver decision is unacceptable.”

It was published – 05 November 2025 15:09 IST