Shiv Sena takes out procession against private insurance firms

Ruling ally Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray led a huge procession targeting the high-handed attitude of various private insurance companies in the matter of crop insurance for farmers, here on Wednesday.

The procession began from the Asian Heart Institute to the headquarters of a private insurance player in the Bandra Kurla Complex and included Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray, party ministers in the state government, legislators, party office-bearers and farmers.

The marchers carried placards, banners, party flags and raised slogans condemning what they termed the "injustice" meted out to farmers vis-a-vis crop insurance and the alleged frauds in the scheme.

A delegation of Sena leaders is likely to call on the top officials of the insurance company and submit a memorandum seeking remedial measures.

However, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief Raju Shetti and others have criticized the procession as a 'pre-election gimmick' and said "it showed the Shiv Sena could not discipline the insurance companies while being a part of the government in the state and centre." IANS