Shiv Sena should consider running photography business, mocks Congress

MUMBAI: Taking a dig at Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's photography exhibition held to raise fund for farmers in Maharashtra, the Congress today said here the saffron party should consider starting a "photography business" to provide aid to drought-hailstorm affected farmers if they are unable to do so being in the power.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant's comments comes a day after Thackeray announced his plans to divert funds raised from the sale of his paintings to farmers in the "suicide belt" of the state.

"If Uddhav Thackeray says he wants to sell photos to provide aid to farmers, what is his party doing in the government then? He himself said that the government is not doing enough to help farmers. If they (Shiv Sena) cannot do it despite being in the government, they should consider starting a photography business then," Sawant told reporters here.

Slamming Revenue minister Eknath Khadse on his comments on sending a memorandum to the Centre to seek an additional aid of Rs 2,000 crore to assist farmers, Sawant said the minister does not seem serious about helping the distressed farmers and is merely making comments to belittle the Chief Minister.

"The fact is that the CM does not have any control over his own ministers. Ram Shinde (MoS Home) says there will be an enquiry into Bollywood film 'PK' (over controversy on the film) but the CM says there will be no such enquiry. (Finance minister) Sudhir Mungantiwar said the government will come out with a white-paper on the state of the economy of Maharashtra while the CM overruled it.

It is now Khadse's turn. He is doing nothing but trying to belittle the Chief Minister. He does not seem serious on actually helping our farmers who are in distress," Sawant said.