Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 11 (ANI): As Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut sharply criticised the Maharashtra government over its handling of the flood situation in Marathwada, Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said that the Chief Minister-led Devendra Fadnavis government has taken 'care of Marathwada'.

He also accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray of 'Nizam-like behaviour' while responding to Sanjay Raut's 'Marathwada is still under the Nizam's rule' jibe.

'Who is even listening to him? Chief Minister and our Government have taken care of Marathwada, and we are making decisions to extend help to every person. As far as Nizam-like behaviour is concerned, it was the Uddhav Thackeray government that did this. Our government renamed Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar and Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar. Our Government renamed the Nizam-era names of the main capital area of Marathwada. It was the Congress party that meted out Nizam-like behaviour to Marathwada. BJP strengthened Marathwada...,' Bawankule told reporters on Friday.

Raut told reporters on Friday that the government appeared more focused on welcoming the visiting British Prime Minister than addressing the severe distress faced by flood-hit regions.

'The flood situation in Marathwada is still a matter of concern, but the government is not serious. The government was busy welcoming the British Prime Minister. It was expected that Modi would come and make some announcements for the flood victims in Marathwada, but to prevent this burden from falling on Modi, Devendra Fadnavis has announced a package that will blow away the dust,' Raut said.

He demanded that the government provide compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers, emphasising that the damage to farmland is so severe that 'the next two generations cannot use the land for farming.'

Announcing Marathwada Morcha, Raut said, 'Shiv Sena (UBT) is organising a Marathwada Morcha, and Uddhav Thackeray himself will lead it.'

Raut also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend financial aid to the region's farmers from the PM Cares Fund.

'We demanded that Narendra Modi should at least help the farmers of Marathwada from the PM Cares Fund. If the flood-affected farmers are not helped, then it should be known to whom this money is for?' he said, warning that the suicide rate among farmers could rise further if relief measures are not implemented urgently.

'Marathwada is still under the Nizam's rule. Atrocities and exploitation continue in Marathwada,' Raut added. (ANI)