Shiv Sena, firebrand independent MLA, join to corner ally BJP

Mumbai: Shiv Sena will support the Prahar Sanghatana (organisation) led by independent legislator Bacchu Kadu to raise the issue of farmers having been badly affected by demonetisation. Mr Kadu, legislator from Achalpur in Amravati district, met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday to discuss ways to build pressure on the government to ease hardships caused to farmers by demonetisation and seek Thackeray’s support. Thackeray will now participate in the protests organised by Prahar at Vidarbha, beginning December 28.

Thackeray’s close aide said, “Sena needs aggressive leadership in Vidarbha to counter the BJP while Mr Kadu needs a party like Sena. Hence, an alliance between the two is considered significant for the ensuing civic body polls in Vidarbha,” he said.

When contacted, Mr Kadu said, “Due to demonetisation, farmers are facing hardships as they are not getting a good price for their produce however the government is still showing that everything is fine. Orange, cotton and soybean farmers are not getting a good price for their crop as traders are not coming forward to procure it due to shortage of cash supply. We discussed how we can protest against this and turn the heat on the government to take urgent steps to mitigate problems.”

Mr Kadu further said, “I will now prepare a proposal of what needs to be done to ease the hardships of farmers and discuss it with Uddhavji. He will then instruct Shiv Sainiks in all districts to take up the issue at a local level in association with my organisation, Prahar, which works for farmers’ welfare in Amravati, Chandrapur, Wardha and Akola districts,” he said.