Amid drought, Shiv Sena MLA shelves plan to give Bolero vehicles to taluka chiefs

As drought conditions worsen in Maharashtra, a major development has emerged from Nashik district politics. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA and Nashik organisation chief Suhas Kande had decided to give expensive Bolero vehicles to the district's 14 taluka party chiefs for organisational work. But after the decision drew criticism during this period of drought, senior party leaders stepped in, and the plan to distribute the vehicles has for now been put on hold.

The state has seen a major shortfall in rainfall this year, directly affecting farming and crops. With September nearing its end, drought-like conditions have set in across several parts of the state. Questions were raised over how appropriate it was to distribute expensive vehicles for organisational work in such circumstances.

MLA Suhas Kande had decided to give Bolero vehicles to the 14 taluka chiefs of Nashik district for organisational work. It was said that the decision was aimed at expanding the party's organisational reach and making work more effective at the taluka level.

But given the drought situation in the state and the difficulties facing farmers, criticism of the decision began. Some farmers and citizens felt that the money being spent on vehicles could instead have gone towards giving farmers seeds, fertiliser or other agricultural support.

The discussion and criticism around the decision also received considerable coverage in the media, after which senior Shiv Sena leaders took note of the matter. It is being said that senior leaders then instructed MLA Suhas Kande to halt the plan to distribute the vehicles. Accordingly, Kande has for now deferred the decision to give Bolero vehicles to the 14 taluka chiefs.

Another important detail has come to light in the matter. The list of drought-affected talukas released by the state includes MLA Suhas Kande's own Nandgaon taluka. This has intensified the debate over spending on expensive vehicles for organisational work in a taluka that is itself facing the impact of drought.

For now, the decision to distribute the vehicles has been put on hold, but there is no clarity yet on whether it will be implemented later. Meanwhile, discussion continues in Nashik politics over farmer support and organisational spending during this drought period.

Given the severity of the drought in Maharashtra, the launch event for the 14 Bolero vehicles, which was to be held on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at 3 pm at Nandanvan Bungalow in Malabar Hill, Mumbai, has been postponed. MLA Suhas Anna Kande said that farmers and citizens of the state are going through this difficult period, and standing with them is his priority, adding that a new date for the event will be announced once the situation normalises.