Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde used his Shiv Sena faction’s Dussehra rally at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon on Tuesday, October 20, to highlight assistance for drought-hit farmers and criticise Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The rally was dedicated to farmers, with trucks carrying Diwali ration for drought-affected families stationed at the venue. Banners promised assistance to ensure farmers could celebrate Diwali despite the drought.

“We are not people who give empty speeches. We are workers who give ration to the poor and light the hearth in their homes,” Shinde said, asserting that his government’s work spoke for itself.

Listing relief measures, Shinde said the government had declared drought promptly, halted coercive loan recovery and waived power and water bills. He also referred to financial assistance for farmers, including an annual payment of Rs 12,000, and said he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to support Maharashtra’s drought-hit farmers.

Shinde also targeted the Opposition over allegations of “vote chori”, accusing the Thackeray camp of betraying voters by aligning with the Congress. He rejected claims that the Constitution was in danger, arguing that the Opposition’s freedom to protest contradicted its allegations.

He further claimed to have helped 5,000 youths from Naxal-affected areas find employment during his tenure as Gadchiroli guardian minister. Senior Shiv Sena leaders also addressed the rally, urging elected representatives to prioritise water conservation and farmer welfare.