Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday, appealed to Genz’s in Maharashtra especially those who completed 18 years, after July 1, 2025, to visit the nearest Shiv Sena shakha and register their names, claiming many eligible first-time voters may be left out of the upcoming electoral rolls.
Addressing a press conference at Matoshree, Thackeray said centres are being opened for voters to verify whether their names are on the list. “We are setting up centres for voters’ convenience. I request citizens to visit our offices and check if they are eligible to vote and if their names are on the voters’ list,” he said.
He questioned the Election Commission’s criteria, saying the age cut-off would deprive thousands of youngsters of their first voting opportunity. “Across the world, youngsters of this age take to the streets and bring revolutions. This is Gen-Z. Why is this government scared of Gen-Z? Those who should get the right to vote after July 1 will not be allowed to vote. I urge these youths to come forward and register at our branches. Only then will we know how many young voters are being kept away,” he added.
On farmers’ issues, Thackeray hit out at the state government over the delay in farm loan waivers and compensation for losses caused by the wet drought. He claimed the state had not sent any proposal to the Centre for financial assistance. “The Chief Minister says loan waiver will benefit banks, so the government won’t do it. If a waiver is given in June, banks won’t benefit, this is their logic. They claim to have great knowledge of economics; they should explain it,” Thackeray remarked.
Thackeray said farmers want an immediate loan waiver, not assurances for next year. “The data is already available. Farmers must be compensated for the land washed away in rains. If the loan waiver is happening only next June, should farmers continue paying installments till then? This is nothing but mockery.”
On the Centre’s plan to send a survey team to Maharashtra, he questioned the short duration of the visit. “A central team will tour for two to three days. How will they assess the losses across Marathwada in such little time?” he asked. He also termed the crop insurance payouts a joke, claiming some farmers in Palghar received just “two rupees”.
He further criticised the Chief Minister for not fulfilling the Diwali relief promise. “The government says it has released thousands of crores for farmers, but I will verify in the field whether the funds have truly reached them,” he said.
Uddhav Thackeray announced he will begin a tour of Marathwada from November 5 to directly interact with farmers.
