Raj Thackeray Slams Maharashtra Govt’s ₹5,000 Diwali Aid for Drought-Hit Farmers

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday criticised the state government over its ₹5,000 financial assistance for drought-affected farmers, questioning whether the amount would provide meaningful relief ahead of Diwali.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with party workers, Thackeray alleged that the government had failed to implement long-term measures to tackle water scarcity and address the recurring drought crisis across the state.

“What will happen in Rs 5,000?” he remarked, questioning the adequacy of the assistance announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last week. The chief minister had announced that an initial relief amount of ₹5,000 would be deposited directly into farmers’ bank accounts before Diwali.

The state government has declared a drought in 305 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of the state's talukas. Thackeray claimed that the water crisis had reached alarming levels, with several regions struggling to secure even basic drinking water. He warned that Maharashtra could face severe food and water shortages in the coming days if the situation was not addressed effectively.

Announcing a statewide tour after Diwali, the MNS chief said he would visit drought-affected talukas to assess ground realities and understand the difficulties faced by residents.

Separately, Thackeray was asked about an audio clip released by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, which allegedly contains conversations relating to a proposed Rs 500-crore payment involving Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde.

Jarange has alleged that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured Rs 500 crore from the BJP to end his agitation, with the money allegedly routed through his son, Shrikant Shinde.

Jarange released the audio after Eknath Shinde challenged him to substantiate the allegations. The activist subsequently claimed that a conspiracy had been hatched to silence him and weaken his Maratha reservation agitation. Responding to the controversy, Thackeray questioned the origin and authenticity of the audio clip, without establishing the veracity of the allegations.