The Shiv Sena may have supported the BJP-led saffron alliance Government’s decision to hold “direct election” to the post of village sarpanchs, but it has serious reservations about the decision.
Responding to a query on the issue raised a news conference that he addressed on Wednesday, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said, “Alright we have supported the ruling BJP’s decision to hold direct election to the post of village sarpanchs. But, our question is, will Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seek direct election to the Chief Minister’s post tomorrowIJ The Sena’s stand is that no decision should be taken in a haste. This kind of a decision should have been taken after considerable deliberation”.
In his elaboration, Uddhav said, “If the sarpanch elected does not belong to a party with a majority, then there will be unnecessary difference between him and elected representatives of the party with a majority. In the process, the party with a majority will stand to lose”.
On the issue of the farm loan waiver announced by the Devendra Fadnavis Government, Uddhav said, “If the State Government has announced farm loan waiver, it is because of the crusade undertaken by the Shiv Sena. Now that the loan waiver has been announced, we will keep a vigil as to how the decision will get implemented. I have asked my party workers get in touch with banks and prepare the list of beneficiaries of the scheme”.
Uddhav said that he would tour the State from July 9 to interact and ascertain from the farmers as to how many had been befitted from the loan waiver scheme.
Under the loan waiver scheme involving a sum of Rs 34,022 crore, the total number of beneficiaries is 80 lakh. Of them, early 40 lakh farmers are expected to become totally debt-free, a situation that will facilitate them to take fresh loans from banks.