Farmer loan issue: Shiv Sena to target BJP at public rally in Nashik

Turning up the heat on the BJP, the Shiv Sena will hold a public meeting in Nashik seeking loan waivers for farmers. The BJP, which is the Shiv Sena's senior ally in the state government is not eager to waive Rs 30,500 crore worth farm loans and wants to use these funds for investment to build infrastructure in the agricultural sector.

On May 19, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will address farmers at the “Mee Karjamukta Honarach” (I will be free from debt) rally in Nashik, where representatives of peasant groups will put forth their opinions about loan waivers and the resistance to land acquisition for the Mumbai- Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, which is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' pet project.

Raju Shetty, farmer leader and Lok Sabha MP from the Swabhimaani Shetkari Sanghatana will also join forces with Uddhav at the public meeting with environmentalist Vinayakrao Patil.