Shiv Sena's Jyoti Waghmare says Uddhav talks of regime change while drought-hit farmers suffer

Shiv Sena leader and MP Jyoti Waghmare has criticised Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Dussehra rally on Sunday. She said drought-hit farmers in the state are in distress, and at such a time Uddhav Thackeray is busy announcing a change of power. According to Waghmare, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to help farmers by following the ideas of Balasaheb Thackeray. She also alleged that Balasaheb's son has forgotten the principle of social service that Balasaheb taught.

Speaking in Mumbai, Waghmare said the true identity of the Shiv Sena is not that of an organisation that works only for politics or votes. In her words, it is an organisation that does social service and works to help the needy. She recalled that Hindhruhdaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray had given the idea of 80 per cent social service and 20 per cent politics. Waghmare said that, unfortunately, Uddhav Thackeray has forgotten that idea.

Waghmare alleged that farmers in drought-hit areas are in trouble and have been reduced to tears, while Uddhav Thackeray is busy raising slogans for a change of power. In contrast, she said, Eknath Shinde is carrying forward Balasaheb's ideology and has appealed for help for farmers.

Waghmare said there had been a plan for lakhs of Shiv Sainiks from different parts of Maharashtra to come to help. But Eknath Shinde told the Shiv Sainiks to stay in their own areas and serve and help farmers there. According to Waghmare, this will let help reach needy farmers and will also spare others unnecessary trouble. She also claimed that about 50 truckloads of relief material are being sent to drought-hit areas under Eknath Shinde's leadership. She said her leader always stands with the people, while opponents are only doing politics.

Waghmare also questioned statements by opposition leaders. She said the country is not run by the speeches of Sanjay Raut, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi or Supriya Sule, but by the Constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. In her view, under the Constitution elections are held after a fixed period and people get the chance to change the government through their vote. She therefore told leaders to go among the people, work, and win their trust in elections. Waghmare alleged that opposition party leaders are working against Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Constitution, the country and the interest of the people. She also said the people have now begun to understand the opposition's politics.

Criticising the role of the CJP, Waghmare alleged that the people concerned are only trying to incite the public. She said nothing would be achieved by agitations. She also questioned the intent behind agitating outside the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister's residence.