Marathwada's Anguished Cry: Uddhav Thackeray Demands Urgent Loan Waiver and Flood Relief Before Diwali

The heartland of Marathwada lies devastated, bearing the brunt of nature's fury as torrential rains have unleashed unprecedented floods. Amidst this despair, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray emerged as a vocal advocate for the beleaguered farmers, embarking on a critical tour of the flood-hit regions.

His message was clear, resounding with urgency: the state government must provide a complete loan waiver for the kharif season before Diwali, offering a glimmer of hope to those staring into an abyss of debt and loss.

Thackeray's extensive visit took him to the most ravaged areas, including villages in Osmanabad and Beed districts, where he witnessed firsthand the catastrophic scale of destruction.

Speaking passionately to reporters, he didn't mince words, sharply criticizing the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government for what he termed its 'deafness' to the farmers' plight. "The government is deaf," he asserted, demanding that they open their eyes and ears to the profound suffering engulfing Marathwada's agricultural communities.

The former CM highlighted the immense losses endured by farmers, far beyond mere crop damage.

He pointed out the insidious erosion of fertile land, the collapse of homes, and the widespread destruction of roads, all painting a grim picture of an agrarian economy pushed to its breaking point. His demand for a comprehensive loan waiver for the kharif season isn't just a plea; it's an imperative, aimed at preventing a potential wave of suicides among farmers who have lost everything.

Thackeray passionately argued that the relief package announced by the state government—Rs 13,600 per hectare for irrigated land and a mere Rs 6,800 for rain-fed areas—is woefully inadequate.

He starkly contrasted this paltry sum with his previous administration's demand for Rs 50,000 per hectare, emphasizing that the current compensation barely scratches the surface of the actual losses incurred. "Farmers don't need alms; they need justice and adequate support to rebuild their lives," he stated, echoing the sentiments of thousands.

Throughout his tour, Thackeray didn't just observe; he engaged, conversing directly with affected farmers, offering words of solace and promising relentless advocacy for their cause.

He reiterated his commitment to standing by them, vowing to compel the government to deliver substantive relief. His visit underscored a broader political push, with other prominent leaders like Congress's Ashok Chavan and Nana Patole also touring the affected areas, collectively amplifying the call for immediate and robust government action.

As Diwali approaches, a festival traditionally symbolizing light and prosperity, Marathwada's farmers face a bleak reality.

Uddhav Thackeray's fervent plea for a loan waiver before the festive season serves as a critical call to action, demanding compassion and decisive leadership from the state government to avert an even deeper crisis for the region's agricultural backbone.