In a strong statement made on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce immediate financial aid for Maharashtra’s farmers devastated by recent floods during his visit to Mumbai. Raut emphasized that the central government should have already put forth a comprehensive relief package for these affected agricultural communities.
Earlier this week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis provided an initial estimate revealing that rains and floods had severely impacted 60 lakh hectares of agricultural land across the state. In response, the government announced its decision to extend all drought-related benefits and measures to those affected. However, Fadnavis refrained from declaring a “wet drought,” a demand from the Opposition, citing the absence of such a provision in official government manuals.
Reiterating his demand, Mr. Raut stated, “A relief package for farmers should have been announced directly from Delhi. The Prime Minister must deliver this crucial assistance to flood-affected farmers during his upcoming visit to Mumbai.” He also used the opportunity to strongly criticize Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam over controversial comments regarding the delayed announcement of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s death in 2012.
Raut asserted, “Ramdas Kadam has never been a trustworthy individual. Uddhav Thackeray was instrumental in his election to the legislative council twice. One must question the actual contributions Neelam Gorhe and Kadam have made to the party; they should be indebted to Uddhav Thackeray.”
Kadam had previously alleged, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, that Balasaheb Thackeray’s body was held at his Mumbai residence for two days before his passing was publicly announced in 2012. Furthermore, Kadam claimed that the party founder’s fingerprints were taken post-mortem.
Responding to these accusations, Mr. Raut declared, “I was present during Balasaheb’s final moments. Mr. Kadam’s assertions demonstrate the depths to which a person can sink for personal gain and power. Those who have abandoned the party can never truly demonstrate loyalty to Balasaheb or sincerely consider him their inspiration.”