Sun Oct 12 00:23:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

This article reports on Uddhav Thackeray’s “Hambarda” rally in Maharashtra, India, protesting the state government’s flood relief package for farmers. Thackeray criticized the package as inadequate and a “joke,” demanding a complete loan waiver for affected farmers. He accused Chief Minister Fadnavis of offering a “fraudulent” package and challenged him to provide ₹1 lakh to farmers before Diwali. Thackeray also criticized Prime Minister Modi for neglecting farmers during his visit. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde responded by dismissing the rally as “crocodile tears” and accused Thackeray of exploiting farmers for political gain.

**News Article:**

**Thackeray Launches “Hambarda” Rally, Slams Flood Relief Package as “Joke”**

**Mumbai, India – October 12, 2025** – Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), launched a “Hambarda” rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra on Saturday, protesting the state government’s recently announced flood relief package for farmers. Thackeray denounced the package as a “big joke” and demanded a complete loan waiver for farmers impacted by recent floods and rainfall.

Addressing a public meeting, the former Chief Minister accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of offering a “fraudulent” package that fails to adequately address the needs of farmers in dire straits. Thackeray challenged Fadnavis to provide ₹1 lakh in aid to farmers before Diwali and criticized the announced ₹3.5 lakh aid through MNREGA. He argued that the proposed ₹50,000 per hectare compensation is insufficient, leaving farmers burdened with loan installments and unable to recover financially.

Thackeray also highlighted expert analysis suggesting that only a small portion of the ₹31,628 crore package actually benefits farmers. He further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not mentioning farmers during his recent visit to Mumbai.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded to Thackeray’s rally, calling it a “display of crocodile tears” and accusing Thackeray of exploiting farmers’ distress for political gain. Shinde defended the flood relief package and questioned Thackeray’s commitment to farmers, arguing that he is out of touch with their needs. The political clash highlights the growing tensions surrounding the adequacy of government support for farmers facing hardship due to natural disasters.

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