Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, accusing him of exploiting the miseries of flood-affected farmers for political mileage. Shinde’s comments came a day after Thackeray warned the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of statewide farmer protests if a complete loan waiver was not announced for those whose crops had been destroyed in recent floods. Speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Thackeray had said that the farmers’ growing frustration could soon spill onto the streets if immediate relief measures were not implemented.
Dismissing Thackeray’s warning, Shinde described his rally as an act of “crocodile tears” and political opportunism. He accused the former chief minister of doing politics over the pain of the people, saying, “When power slips from their hands, they pretend to care. This is not love for farmers; this is love for power.” He asserted that the ruling Mahayuti government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was focused on finding real solutions rather than indulging in hollow slogans.
Over the past month, Maharashtra has been battling devastating floods that left large parts of the state submerged. More than 41,000 people had to be evacuated from low-lying regions, with districts such as Solapur, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Dharashiv among the worst affected. The floods caused massive damage to agricultural land, livestock, and property, pushing thousands of farmers into financial distress.
Taking a swipe at Thackeray, Shinde said that those who never stepped out of their comfort zones were now talking about marching for farmers. “Some people remember farmers only when elections approach. They speak from air-conditioned rooms while our government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with those who are suffering,” Shinde remarked.
He went on to highlight the relief measures initiated by the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, emphasizing that the government had taken proactive steps to support affected farmers. According to Shinde, the state has announced a ₹31,628 crore relief package, with ₹10,000 in immediate financial assistance already distributed to affected families ahead of Diwali. He further detailed that farmers who lost crops would receive ₹48,000 per hectare, while additional compensation of up to ₹3.47 lakh per hectare would be provided under the MGNREGA scheme.
Shinde stressed that the government was not bound by bureaucratic constraints like the NDRF guidelines when it came to helping farmers in distress. “We have made it clear that no rule can come in the way of relief. The government’s responsibility is to protect and uplift its farmers, not hide behind technicalities,” he said.
Praising the coordination between the state and central governments, Shinde credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their continuous support. “With guidance from PM Modi and Amit Shah, both the central and state administrations are working hand in hand to ensure that no farmer is left behind,” he affirmed.
The political sparring between Shinde and Thackeray reflects the deepening rivalry within Maharashtra’s political landscape, especially as the state gears up for upcoming elections. While Thackeray seeks to position himself as the voice of distressed farmers, Shinde is attempting to counter that narrative by showcasing his government’s active relief efforts and direct outreach to rural communities.
