Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray used his Dussehra rally to call for a change of power in Maharashtra, attacking the BJP over compensation for farmers and the deletion of names from electoral rolls.
At the rally held on the occasion of Dussehra, Thackeray accused the state government of neglecting farmers. He claimed that those who suffered crop losses were not being paid adequate compensation.
He also raised the issue of names being deleted in large numbers from voter lists under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging a political motive behind it. He said voters' rights were under threat.
Thackeray called on party workers to unite and fight for a change of power. He asked the people of Maharashtra to draw lessons from the BJP's record in office.
The rally is seen as significant amid the power tussle between the Shiv Sena's Shinde faction and the BJP within the state's Mahayuti government. Thackeray asserted his party's resolve to build its strength.
Dussehra saw rallies by several parties across the state. Thackeray's event is being read as a key political moment of the season.
Thackeray laid out a list of charges against the state government. 'The government has not paid attention to crop insurance for farmers, relief in drought-hit areas or employment,' he claimed. He called attempts to delete names from voter lists an assault on democracy.
'People have opened their eyes. This Dussehra will be the Dussehra of a change of power,' he told workers. The tussle over seats and power between the Shiv Sena's Shinde faction and the BJP within the Mahayuti government also continues.