'No money for farmers, plenty for defections': Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks Mahayuti

The Shiv Sena UBT on Tuesday intensified its attack on the ruling Mahayuti alliance accusing the Maharashtra government of focusing on political defections while ignoring pressing issues such as farm distress water scarcity unemployment and rising public hardshipIn a strongly worded editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled party criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the defection of six Shiv Sena UBT MPs to the Shindeled Shiv Sena under what has been popularly referred to as Operation TigerThe editorial alleged that the government was celebrating political gains at a time when Maharashtra was facing multiple challenges requiring urgent attentionParty questions focus on defectionsReferring to the recent crossover of six Lok Sabha MPs the editorial claimed the ruling alliance was treating the defections as a political achievement instead of addressing public concernsldquoInstead of addressing the burning issues plaguing Maharashtra Fadnavis chose to gloat over the defection of six Shiv Sena UBT MPs declaring that the operation lsquotreacheryrsquo was successful and the patient is doing wellrdquo the editorial saidAccording to the party political celebrations were misplaced when issues such as agriculture employment and water shortages continued to affect large sections of the populationThe editorial also criticised what it described as the growing acceptance of political defections in the states political cultureAllegations over use of money in politicsThe Shiv Sena UBT alleged that significant financial resources were being used to engineer political defections while ordinary citizens continued to face economic difficultiesldquoNow that Shinde has given birth to six traitors and Amit Shah is distributing sweets in Delhi the Chief Minister must declare who the real parents of these defectors are the editorial askedThe party further alleged that funds appeared readily available for political operations but not for addressing the concerns of farmers and other vulnerable groupsThe editorial argued that elected representatives had become commodities in political transactions while citizens struggling with economic hardship remained neglectedConcerns raised over farmers and water scarcityThe editorial also highlighted issues related to agriculture and rural distressAccording to the party delayed monsoon rains have created concerns about water availability in several parts of Maharashtra particularly in droughtprone regionsThe Shiv Sena UBT claimed that farmers continue to face uncertainty over crop prices debt burdens and access to adequate government supportThe editorial questioned the governments approach towards agrarian issues particularly after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently stated that farm loan waivers are not a permanent solution to agricultural distressIt argued that farmers require stronger support through remunerative prices and improved crop insurance mechanismsCriticism over governance and welfare schemesThe party also targeted the government over unemployment law and order and the implementation of welfare programmesThe editorial alleged that several regions including Vidarbha and Marathwada continue to face serious developmental challengesIt further claimed that benefits under the governments flagship welfare initiatives had not reached all intended beneficiaries and questioned the administrations commitment to social welfareThe Shiv Sena UBT also referred to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEETUG 2026 examination alleging that the issue had adversely affected students and their familiesOpposition raises concerns over vacant LoP postsThe editorial additionally expressed concern over the absence of a Leader of the Opposition in both Houses of the Maharashtra LegislatureAccording to the party the continued vacancy has weakened the Oppositions ability to scrutinise government decisions and raise publicinterest issues effectivelyThe Shiv Sena UBT alleged that delays in filling the position were affecting democratic functioning and limiting legislative accountabilityThe criticism comes amid an ongoing political battle between the Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi which has intensified following the defection of six Shiv Sena UBT MPs and the BJPs growing influence in the Maharashtra Legislative CouncilAs the monsoon session progresses issues relating to farmers inflation political defections and governance are expected to dominate discussions inside and outside the legislatureWith inputs from IANS