Addressing the annual Narayangad Dasara rally in Beed district, Jarange said the state’s

Jarange Dasara rally

Addressing the annual Narayangad Dasara rally in Beed district, Jarange said the state’s drought relief measures were inadequate, and criticised govt’s Rs 5,000 advance assistance package. Jarange said he had never seen even Rs 5,000 at one time, and claimed that if he had received Rs 500 crore, he would have distributed it among drought-hit farmers. Jarange announced that he would soon convene a meeting of farmers’ organisations and agricultural experts to press for five key demands: compensation of at least Rs 1 lakh per hectare, unconditional farm loan waiver, immediate payment of crop insurance claims, clearance of subsidies and establishment of fodder camps and drinking water facilities in villages. On the Maratha reservation front, he announced the launch of three WhatsApp helplines from Oct 22 to register volunteers, resolve issues related to Kunbi certificates and SEBC reservation, and address other administrative and legal grievances faced by community members.

“Farmers will spend more than Rs 5,000 on travel, paperwork and repeated visits to banks to get that money,” he said. Calling for urgent intervention, Jarange said govt must immediately clear pending crop insurance claims and subsidies and set up fodder camps and drinking water arrangements in villages to prevent farmers from taking cattle long distances in search of fodder. “If the money was given, let him say so publicly; if it was not, he should clarify that too,” Jarange said.

Jarange said he would honour his commitment not to criticise political leaders for three months, but signalled a more aggressive political campaign once the remaining two months of that period were over. “If you know the details of the alleged payment, you must also name the BJP leader who gave you this information,” Lakhe Patil said. He also asked supporters to remain prepared for future mobilisation in Mumbai. Responding to Jarange’s remarks at the Narayangad Dasara rally, Lakhe Patil gave him until Wednesday evening to disclose the source of the allegation.