Shiv Sena calls BJP ‘insensitive’

Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday slammed the state government for not handling the farmers’ strike sensitively. Mr Raut’s comments come a day after Shiv Sena ministers boycotted the state Cabinet meeting over the farmers’ issue.

Questioning the CM’s statement about the farmers’ need for a loan waiver, Mr Raut asked how would the CM decide their needs. “The CM said that the loan waiver would be given to needy farmers only. But you do not decide that. You accept our demand,” said Mr Raut whose party has demanded a complete loan waiver.

Mr Raut also asked if the Shiv Sena had become a hurdle for the BJP. “Are we troubling you? The CM and the finance minister should speak out clearly. A government cannot function when there is unrest among farmers. We do not care about power when it comes to this issue," he said. The Sena ministers on Wednesday cried foul about not being taken into consideration before announcing the loan waiver.

Meanwhile, the Sena MP reiterated his support for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for the Presidential post. The election is due in July. "We may take an independent stand on voting for the Presidential polls. We have already said that there is no one else than Mohan Bhagwat in fulfilling dream of Hindu Rashtra," he added.