Shiv Sena to launch agitation over farmers problems: Uddhav

Kolhapur, Apr 18 (UNI) Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray today lambasted the Congress-led Maharashtra government for its alleged failure to resolve farmers' problems and asiad his party will soon launch an agitation for it across the state.

Addressing a rally at Bindu Chowk here tonight, Mr Thackeray said he himself will lead the agitation, for which he had undertaken the tour across the state to study farmers' problems in detail and create awareness among them about agitation.

He said his tour was not to claim credit for loan waiver, announced by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram during the Budget in February. In fact, the Congress and NCP fought over it, he pointed out.

Mr Thackeray said despite the Union Government announcing Rs 60,000 crore waiver to farmers, he, during the tour, observed that farmers were unhappy with it, as this would not benefit majority of them, because they hold land above five acres. It was his party's demand that all farmers should be benefited, he said.

Though he is of quiet nature, it does not mean he will tolerate any critical statements against the party, he warned and added deputy chief minister R R Patil and state water resources minister Ajit Pawar should stop giving empty assurances to the people.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramdas Kadam and the party deputy leader Neelam Gorhe also addressed the rally.

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