Shiv Sena failed to bring relief to drought-hit farmers: NCP

MUMBAI: Opposition NCP today launched a stinging attack on Shiv Sena, part of the BJP-led Maharashtra government, for "failing" to bring any relief to drought-hit farmers in the state.

NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare also took a dig at Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for holding a photo exhibition here, proceeds of which will go towards the relief of affected farmers.

"It is unfortunate that despite sharing power with BJP, Sena has not been able to ensure that drought-hit farmers are given relief and Uddhav Thackeray is compelled to put an exhibition of his photographs so that the sale proceeds can go towards farmers' relief," he told reporters.

Tatkare alleged all assurances given by the Devendra Fadnavis government during the Winter Session of the legislature held at Nagpur have turned out to be "false" and none of them has been implemented on the ground.

He said a two-day brainstorming meeting of NCP on strengthening the party organisation would be held in Pune from February 7 under party chief Sharad Pawar.

"About 5,000 delegates including senior leaders, sitting and former legislators and MPs, district unit chiefs and office-bearers will attend the meeting," Tatkare added.

He said senior party leader Jayant Patil has been entrusted with the task of supervising NCP's campaign and strategy for the Thane and Palghar zilla parishad elections, scheduled to be held on January 28.

"MLAs Jitendra Ahwad and Sanjiv Naik will handle Thane while MLC Niranjan Davkhare will handle Palghar," Tatkare said.

To a query, he said the decision on alliances with like-minded parties would be taken at the local level.

"Bhaskar Jadhav will handle the responsibility of the party's affairs for Lanja municipal council election to be held on the same day," Tatkare said.

He accused the state government of "failing" to put forth its stand against hiking of ticket fares of Mumbai Metro before the high court.

Referring to the ongoing controversy over opening of a toll plaza at Kharghar on Sion-Panvel highway, Tatkare said, "party leader Ajit Pawar had mooted the idea of Cidco and MMRDA reimbursing the contractor concerned and waiving off the toll."