No Loan Waiver, No Vote for Mahayuti” — Uddhav Thackeray Roars in Marathwada; Fadnavis and Shinde Hit Back

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Maharashtra Politics | Mumbai: With the announcement of Maharashtra’s long-awaited local body elections, the political temperature across the state has surged dramatically. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a blistering attack on the Mahayuti alliance (BJP–NCP–Shiv Sena), urging farmers not to vote for the ruling coalition until complete farm loan waivers are granted.

During his Marathwada tour, Thackeray met distressed farmers and accused the government of betraying their trust. “Do not vote for Mahayuti until your debts are cleared,” he thundered, adding that the government’s relief measures are “nothing but election gimmicks.”

Farmers Voice Their Anguish

In his interaction with farmers, Thackeray was told that some victims of unseasonal rains received compensation as low as ₹3 to ₹21. The former CM expressed outrage, saying, “Such mockery of farmers is unacceptable. The government promised aid before Diwali, yet farmers are still waiting for assistance.”

He criticized the central survey teams, alleging they assessed crop damage “with torches at night,” and urged farmers to put up boards in their villages declaring they will not vote for Mahayuti until loan waivers are implemented.

Tour Begins from Dharashiv

Thackeray kicked off his four-day Marathwada visit from Dharashiv, calling the recently announced relief package a political stunt. He claimed that with elections approaching, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would soon visit Maharashtra with a “new package” aimed purely at winning votes.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders dismissed Thackeray’s visit as “untimely and politically motivated,” asserting that the opposition is trying to disrupt the election process under the guise of farmer solidarity.

Mahayuti Faces Farmers’ Anger

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who recently succeeded in calming the Maratha reservation movement, faced protests during his visit to Kolhapur, where angry farmers threw sugarcane near his convoy to express outrage over support prices.

Fadnavis retorted, “It’s good that Uddhav Thackeray is finally visiting the people, but he’s attempting to interfere in the elections through emotional drama.”

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also responded sharply, stating that the government has already formed a high-level committee to ensure loan waivers for farmers by June 30, 2026. He accused the opposition of misleading farmers for political gain.

A Brewing Rural Revolt?

As the state heads into local polls, farmer discontent is emerging as a decisive factor. Analysts believe Thackeray’s aggressive outreach could reignite his rural base, posing a fresh challenge to the ruling Mahayuti in its own strongholds.

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