MUMBAI, Sept. 28 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded a relief package of Rs.50,000 crore from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government to mitigate the damage done by the floods that ravaged many parts of Maharashtra, especially Marathwada. The demand came a day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, seeking substantial funds to compensate affected farmers. Addressing a press conference at his residence, Matoshree, Thackeray said, "The PM Cares fund has a deposit of thousands of crores. If Modi, who is scheduled to be in Mumbai on October 8 and 9 for infra inaugurations, declares a package of Rs.50,000 crore, then not only Marathwada but the entire state can be taken care of to some extent." Thackeray also demanded a blanket loan waiver for farmers, so that banks would stop sending notices to them. "My government had granted a loan waiver of over Rs.20,000 crore in 2019," he said. Thackeray suggested that Fadnavis emulate Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who has announced Rs.50,000 per hectare to farmers for crop losses. "I am requesting our CM with folded hands to also declare Rs.50,000 per hectare," he said. "He should also start distributing the money and complete it in a time-bound manner." Ashish Shelar, state cultural affairs minister, asked Thackeray to avoid a slugfest. "Everyone is expected to help the farmers and support them in their difficult times," he said. "Uddhav Thackeray too should avoid making political statements in this time of crisis." The Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS) and other farmers' organisations began visiting flood-affected areas, beginning with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday. Among other demands, the organisations want 50,000 per acre, the official declaration of a "wet drought", immediate monthly financial aid of Rs.30,000 per family as wage-loss compensation to farm labourers, and a waiver of all loans. Ajit Nawale, national joint secretary, ABKS, stated, "We will create awareness among the affected farmers to press for all our nine demands." Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala lambasted Modi for not visiting the state. "More than five million hectares of farmland have been destroyed, and over 100 people and hundreds of cattle have died," he said. "Despite such a grim situation, neither Modi nor his ministers visited the state to assess the damage or console the farmers. Will Modi wipe their tears when he comes to Maharashtra next month?" Thackeray also slammed the Union government over Sonam Wangchuk's arrest, calling it hypocritical to brand the noted activist an "anti-national" while allowing cricket ties with Pakistan. He termed the Asia Cup final "height of shamelessness" and urged citizens to boycott Sunday's match. "On one hand, Wangchuk, who developed solar tents for defence forces, is jailed under the NSA, and on the other, the government plays with a nation behind terror attacks," he said. Wangchuk was arrested Friday after Ladakh protests left four dead, 100 injured; his NGO's foreign funding licence was also cancelled....