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Shiv Sena skips cabinet meeting, wants Maharashtra govt to clarify stance on farm loan waivers
Mumbai city news: The Shiv Sena has bitterly criticised the government and supported farmers’ demanded for a complete loan waiver
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The Shiv Sena boycotted the state cabinet meeting called by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. Reason: The party is unhappy with its ally’s refusal to clarify the government’s stance on farm loan waivers.
“We will not attend the cabinet meeting until the government’s stand on the issue is clarified. We want to be informed about loan waivers in advance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not discussed anything with us,” senior Shiv Sena minister Subhash Desai told reporters.
Meanwhile, BJP minister Sudhir Mungantiwar insisted that the party did not boycott the meeting, but sought the chief minister’s permission to not attend it. As there were no important matters to discuss, Fadnavis accepted their request, he added.
It has been seven days since farmers across Maharashtra went on strike. During this time, the Shiv Sena has bitterly criticised the government and supported farmers’ demanded for a complete loan waiver. Shiv Sena leaders have also participated in the strike.
Fadnavis announced that the loans of small and marginal farmers would be waived by October 31. He said it would cost the government Rs30,000 crore to waive the loans of 31 lakh farmers who are not supported by the institutionalised credited system and cannot get fresh loans from banks.
The Swabhimani Paksha, headed by farmer’s leader Raju Shetti, is also supporting the farmers’ demands.
