Thackeray again threatens to quit Maharashtra government

Nashik (Maharashtra) May 19 (IANS) Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Friday again threatened to quit the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition in Maharashtra if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis failed to announce a waiver of farm loans.

Addressing a farmers rally here he said it is unfortunate that even after nearly three years of the BJP-led government farmers issues were not being addressed and they continued to commit suicide.

The CM s language has changed after coming to power. We would have never done it. For us the farmers interests are superior to the party Thackeray said reminding of the BJP s pre-poll promises in 2014 of wiping off farm-debts after elections.

He strongly criticized state BJP President Raosaheb Danve s recent comments labelling farmers as saale (literally brother-in-law but having a derogatory connotation) and his subsequent apology after a political furore and the Congress calling him danav (demon).

I am very disturbed by Danve s statements. What will happen when the elections are announced? You bring tears to the eyes of the poor farmers now they will make you cry Thackeray warned amid a thunderous round of applause by the gathering.

He reiterated that the Sena would not hesitate even for a moment before quitting the state government but added that they would extend external support if a farm loans waiver package was announced.

Thackeray declared that though it was a ruling ally the Shiv Sena would launch a long-march to the state legislature if the government failed to write off farmers loans soon.

--IANS
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