MUMBAI, May 16: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today appointed Minister of State for Home Gajanan Kirtikar as the new president of the Federation of Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samitis.The Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti was set up by the Shiv Sena mainly to protect the interest of white collar employees of the banking, insurance, civil aviation and oil sector. Kirtikar, who was earlier general secretary of the Federation, succeeds Education Minister Sudhir Joshi, who had resigned following strong criticism of the federation in Saamna, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece.Though Joshi had resigned six months ago, his resignation was accepted unexpectedly today. Along with Kirtikar, Thackeray also appointed Arun Betetkar as the general secretary of the federation."We will relaunch our organisation to protect the interest of Marathi speaking people in all the sectors and spread out activities beyond Mumbai. We will not hesitate to agitate against our government to protect our interests," Kirtikar said.Replying to aquestion, Kirtikar said the Samiti's immediate plan is to expose the Konkan, Central and Western Railways for rampant irregularities in recruitment.
