Yet to fulfil promise of making Maharashtra toll-free: Raj Thackeray hits out at BJP-Sena
Raj Thackeray's remarks came as the toll fee was hiked from October 1; it was raised last in 2020 for three years.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray (PTI Photo) Questioning the hike in the toll fee in Thane and Mumbai, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray Sunday asked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde about the reason behind withdrawing his court petition against toll collection in the two cities.
The rates at the five toll plazas in Mumbai located in Vashi, Mulund (LBS Road), Mulund (Eastern Express Highway), Dahisar, and Airoli Creek Bridge saw a hike from October 1. The new toll charges at these five toll plazas would be in effect till 2026.
The toll fee was last increased in 2020 for three years.
“I have a question for Eknath Shinde. He had himself filed a petition against the hike in the toll fees. But he has withdrawn it. Why did he withdraw the petition? Who made him withdraw it?” Raj Thackeray asked during a press conference.
While targeting the BJP Sena ruling alliance in the state, Thackeray said, “For the past several years, the MNS has held many agitations over the issue of tolls. We have forced authorities to shut down around 65-67 toll booths in Maharashtra, both official and unofficial”.
“At the same time, the manifesto of BJP-Shiv Sena came. In it, they had promised to make Maharashtra toll-free. It was also announced in 2014 and 2017. But the promise is not fulfilled yet,” he added.
Raj said Shinde is from Thane and he cannot afford people’s outrage hence he should pay attention to the issue.
“I will meet CM Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in the next two to four days to discuss the issue. I will inform you about the next course of action or the status of the toll fee hike after the meeting,” he said.
Raj held the press conference in Thane after meeting city MNS district president Avinash Jadhav, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past four days against the hike in the toll fee.
“I called Avinash Jadhav and told him that it is not our style to go on such a fast. I told him that I would come tomorrow morning. You break the hunger strike,” he said.
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