Projects ‘snatched’ from state helped BJP win in Gujarat, says Uddhav Thackeray

Speaking to mediapersons, Thackeray targeted the BJP saying that just the way big-ticket projects were shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat ahead of the Assembly polls there, villages from the state could be merged into Karnataka, where elections are due next year.

“Gujarat poll results were as per expectations. Gujarat poll was contested under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and therefore, people voted in large numbers. Projects that have been snatched from Maharashtra have also played major role in it,” he said.

“But we need to be careful now as Karnataka elections are approaching and after robbing Maharashtra’s projects for Gujarat, they (Centre) might hand over bordering villages to Karnataka as well. The Opposition should be alert from today itself.”

Thackeray, who made the remarks during a press conference held following a meeting of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, said the MVA protest march in Mumbai on December 17 is to unite all against any such move.

Congress state president Nana Patole, who addressed the media with Thackeray, said the poll results show that “BJP’s countdown has begun, as it is now a party limited to Gujarat”.

“The BJP misused ED, CBI, agencies and even the Election Commission for Gujarat while its national chief was defeated in the home state by the Congress. The bypolls and Himachal state polls show that Congress is expanding and it will continue to work tirelessly,” he added.

Addressing the NCP state council meeting in Mumbai, party chief Sharad Pawar also said that the results of Gujarat polls are as per expectations. “…all of the country’s power was used to win the Gujarat elections. A number of decisions were taken to benefit the state. Many of the projects were sent to that state. There was no doubt about the results of Gujarat.”

Calling NCP workers to fill the “political vaccum” in Maharashtra, Pawar said, “People voted for AAP in Delhi while they voted for Congress in Himachal. People chose to vote to end political vacuum. Political workers must take a note of this. Maharashtra is witnessing a similar vacuum and it is NCP, which can connect with people to fill this vacuum here,” said Pawar.

He added that anti-BJP forces must be brought together and NCP workers must decide on how to connect with voters. “Though the local body polls are delayed in Maharashtra, NCP’s senior leadership must give opportunity to youngsters in elections. This will provide the party with a second-rank leadership to continue its work,” said Pawar.