Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday urged farmers in Maharashtra to withhold votes from the ruling Mahayuti coalition until their crop loans are waived. Speaking at Bhusani village in Latur’s Ausa tehsil, hit hard by recent floods, Thackeray assured farmers, “I am here to give you courage. I stand firmly with you.”

He demanded the BJP-led government provide Rs 50,000 per hectare as compensation for damaged crops. “Until the government fulfils its commitment, every farmer should refuse to vote for Mahayuti candidates,” he said.