Sanjay Raut Urges PM CARES Funds Be Used for Farmers’ Relief in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut has called for funds collected from Maharashtra for the PM CARES Fund to be redirected to relieve the debts of farmers in the state. Speaking to the media, Raut argued that even if corrupt officials have pocketed funds out of fear of investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the state government could still mobilize ₹50,000 crore for public welfare.

Raut criticized the handling of crises in BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting instances like bodies floating in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela. He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should acknowledge such lapses instead of ignoring them, adding that the BJP’s approach prioritizes political optics over governance.

Focusing on Maharashtra, Raut emphasized the urgent need to provide ₹50,000 per hectare assistance to farmers, rebuild houses damaged by natural calamities, and relieve farmers from crippling debts. “Where is the politics in this? These are humanitarian measures,” he said, stressing that opposition leaders should speak up for citizens’ rights rather than being silenced.

Raut also warned against BJP attempts to weaken Shiv Sena and the Maratha community in Mumbai and Maharashtra, accusing the party of leveraging local allies such as Eknath Shinde to undermine the traditional power base. He reiterated Shiv Sena’s claim to authentic representation of the Maratha populace, asserting that electoral promises should not come at the cost of public welfare.

Ahead of upcoming events, Raut confirmed that Shiv Sena would continue its traditional practices, including the Dasara celebrations, and urged Maratha farmers to actively participate. Looking ahead to 2029, Raut predicted that the Congress-led central government under Rahul Gandhi would come to power and emphasized the role of Shiv Sena as a key opposition in Maharashtra until then.