Shiv Sena stir for loan waiver on Feb 26

Chandrapur, Maharashtra, Feb 18 (UNI) The Shiv Sena would stage an agitation across Maharashtra on February 26 to press its demand for complete loan waiver for the distressed farmers in the state.

Speaking to reporters at Bhadrawati in this district yesterday, Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray said that the nature of the agitation would be announced within a day or two.

The party would not sit idle until the government granted complete loan waiver to farmers in the state, especially in Vidarbha, where they were going through a severe crisis, he said.

The attacks on persons from North India in Mumbai and other parts of the state were not part of an agitation, but actually the fallout of a tussle between two parties, Mr Thackeray said.

However, the Marathi people were united and were firmly with the Shiv Sena, he added.

Earlier, addressing a rally of tribals, organised by the party, Mr Thackeray said that the Congress as it exists today is not the one left behind by great leaders like Indira Gandhi, but one led by jesters. Tribals should show the Congress the door at the next election as the party had done little for their welfare, the Shiv Sena working president said.

''Sacrifice the Congress-led government, rather than chicken and goats. Only then will you get justice,'' he said.

The rally began by paying tributes to noted social worker Baba Amte, who passed away at his Anandwan Ashram in the district on February 9. Mr Thackeray visited Anandwan and paid floral tributes to late Mr Amte at his grave in the premises of the Ashram. He also met Mr Amte's widow Sadhanatai and other members of the bereaved family and consoled them.

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