File Photo: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
In what is likely to start a fresh war of words between the BJP and Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has criticised Prime Minister Modi's move to promise a bigger than Rs 50,000 financial package for Bihar ahead of assembly elections in the state.
"It is really good that you (PM Modi) have come up with these packages and are trying to help," Mr Thackeray said. "But I request you to kindly help those in need rather than bringing up such packages in areas right before elections. The farmers in Maharashtra are dying for help, but they didn't receive any. If we had elections in Maharashtra right now, there would be packages there too?"
Earlier today, sharing stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a function to launch multiple projects, PM Modi said, "Because of my government's policies, in the next five years or so, Bihar is set to get 3.75 lakh crore rupees under various schemes."
Assembly elections in Bihar are due to be held by October.
Even though the BJP and Shiv Sena are allies in the Centre and in Maharashtra, the two parties have shared an acrimonious relationship ever since they had parted way last year, ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Since they re-forged ties, Shiv Sena has criticized the Narendra Modi government over a host of issues, including the land bill.
Referring to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's comment that dowry, love affairs and impotence were among the reasons for the deaths of over 1,400 farmers in India this year, Mr Thackeray said, "These people cannot see the farmer's plight".
For a farmer, his land is everything and if you cannot understand their love for their land, "you have no right to be the minister of agriculture," he said. "The Prime Minister should immediately look into this."
On Thursday, Mr Thackeray had reminded the BJP, "The government has changed at the state and Centre. People are running out of patience. Work should be done at a fast pace."