Shiv Sena (UBT) Slams Mahayuti Govt Over Dry Fruits at Nanded Drought Review

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on 21 September 2026 launched a sharp attack against the Mahayuti government, accusing the administration of insensitivity and extravagance after dry fruits were served during an official drought review meeting in Nanded, Maharashtra.

The criticism was published in an editorial in the party mouthpiece, Saamana. The editorial addressed the conduct of the state administration at a time when multiple parts of Maharashtra are grappling with water scarcity and drought-like conditions caused by deficient rainfall.

In the editorial, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction warned that Maharashtra was heading towards what it described as a “demonic rule of fear, hunger, and thirst.” The write-up noted that this situation is worsening as the monsoon retreats, leaving behind the shadow of severe drought across the state.

The incident in Nanded has ignited political controversy, with the opposition highlighting the hospitality arrangements at the administrative session as an example of official insensitivity. The party underscored that lavish refreshments were provided even as local populations deal with severe drought conditions.

The editorial asserted that the government's actions demonstrated a lack of empathy toward communities facing severe water shortages as deficient rainfall impacts the region.