Sharad Pawar should ensure Maha gets drought relief: Bal Thackeray

Expressing disappointment over the "futile trip" by Maharashtra chief minister to Delhi to get drought relief from the Centre, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday said that Sharad Pawar should take the lead in getting Central aid for the state.

"Pawar should put his prestige at stake to get maximum assistance for the drought-affected people of Maharashtra," Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana on Thursday.

"The entire cabinet of Maharashtra returned empty-handed from Delhi. An all-party team led by Prithviraj Chavan met the prime minister over drought but what was the outcome," Thackeray asked.

Neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were also affected by drought but those governing Maharashtra lack the determination of their counterparts in these states to fight drought, he said.

"The question is, have our ruling politicians grasped the gravity of the drought. Despite having ministers like Pawar, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde in the Central ministry, it is unfortunate that there is no follow-up of state's demand for drought relief," the Sena chief said.