Ahead of the upcoming legislative council polls in Maharashtra, Sena UBT leader Sushma Andhare has accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction of distributing money to voters in Jalgaon. The CM's party has denied the allegations as baseless. Meanwhile, the Congress has threatened to protest over milk procurement prices and has demanded loan waivers for farmers, hinting at their agenda for the upcoming state legislature session.
Maharashtra's Political Landscape: Allegations and Agendas Ahead of Legislative Council Polls
In the lead-up to the upcoming legislative council polls in Maharashtra, political tensions are running high, with allegations of voter bribery and protests over agricultural issues.
Sena UBT Accuses Shinde Faction of Voter Bribery
Sushma Andhare, a leader of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (Sena UBT) faction, has accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction of distributing money to voters in Jalgaon. She claimed that the money was being disbursed to influence the outcome of the council polls.
The Shinde faction has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "baseless." They have pointed out that there is no evidence to support Andhare's claims and that they are politically motivated.
Congress Threatens Protests over Agriculture Issues
Meanwhile, the Congress party has announced its intention to protest over milk procurement prices and demand loan waivers for farmers. The party has stated that these issues will be high on its agenda for the upcoming state legislature session.
Congress leaders have argued that milk procurement prices in Maharashtra are too low, disadvantaging farmers. They have also pointed out that many farmers are struggling to repay their loans due to crop failures and other factors.
Background
The current political situation in Maharashtra is the result of a split in the Shiv Sena party in June 2022. A faction led by Shinde revolted against Uddhav Thackeray, the then-chief minister, leading to the formation of the Shinde-led government.
The split has created a complex political landscape in the state, with both factions claiming to be the legitimate Shiv Sena. The upcoming legislative council polls will be a crucial test for both factions as they seek to consolidate their support base.
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