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This is an archive article published on November 26, 1997

Maharashtra in a hurry for expressway and Thackeray ready to flag off

MUMBAI, Nov 25: Replacing Prime Minister I K Gujral with Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the Maharashtra government has decided to go ahead with ...

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MUMBAI, Nov 25: Replacing Prime Minister I K Gujral with Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the Maharashtra government has decided to go ahead with laying the foundation stone for the much publicised Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The prime minister, who is now faced with an uncertain future, was scheduled to flag off the project on November 29. However, the political uncertainty surrounding him prompted the Shiv Sena-BJP government to get the project inaugurated by Thackeray.

In fact, the project was to be inaugurated on November 15 by the Prime Minister. However, his engagement was postponed since there was very little time left for making arrangements for his security. The next date for the purpose, November 29, was fixed knowing little about the surrounding dark clouds over the UF government.

The state PWD minister, Nitin Gadkari, confirmed that there was no option but to go ahead without the Prime Minister. The political uncertainty also prevented the state government from further postponing the ceremony. The fear was that of the model code of conduct which would come into effect if the mid-term poll was announced. The ceremony during the run-up could be termed as violation of the code.

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