News Analysis India

Tag: Raj Thackeray

  • Raj Thackeray takes U-turn, supports refinery project in Konkan

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI:  Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray not to drop the Nanar Greenfield Refinery project in Ratnagiri. Interestingly, Raj Thackeray had opposed the same project when Devendra Fadnavis was the state’s chief minister.

    After meeting the residents of Nanar locality, Thackeray had said the project would ruin the natural beauty of Konkan region. In a letter dated March 6 to the CM, Thackeray wrote if Maharashtra has to rise above the pandemic-inflicted financial strain, the Konkan and the state can’t afford to let go off the refinery project.

    He said the project will not only benefit the Konkan region but the entire state. “For Maharashtra’s long-term gains, the state government needs to handle this matter in accordance with the welfare of all,” he tweeted. “The coronavirus backdrop has altered our perspective and the real context of situations. There is a serious contest to get investments into states and the country.

    Some time ago, I read that a major international project was passed onto Bengaluru and the Maharashtra state government was trying its best to get it back. This piece of news was rather heartbreaking,”  the MNS leader wrote.

  • Government shouldn’t have ‘asked’ big personalities like Sachin, Lata to tweet on farmers’ issue: Raj Thackeray

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: In the wake of comments by celebrities on the ongoing farmers’ protest, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said that the government should not have “asked” big personalities like former batsman Sachin Tendulkar and legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar to tweet in their support on the issue and put their “reputation” at stake.

    The MNS chief said that the agitation is against the government policies and not concerning issues of national interest.

    “The government should not have asked big personalities like Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar to tweet in support of its stand and put their reputation at stake. They are recipients of Bharat Ratna. Actors like Akshay Kumar were enough for this task,” said Thackeray.

    “This issue was about the policies of the government and not of the country. It was not a matter related to China or Pakistan. It was a matter of farmers. The Bharat Ratna recipients tweeted on behalf of the government and now they are being trolled,” he said.

    Days after Tendulkar made comments on the protest by farmers, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had asked the former Indian cricketer to “exercise caution while speaking about other fields”.

    “Many people (celebrities) have reacted sharply to the stand taken by them (farmers). My suggestion to Sachin Tendulkar is he should be cautious while commenting on fields other than his domain,” Pawar had said.

    Taking to Twitter, former Indian cricket team captain tweeted: “India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants. Indians know India and should decide for India. Let’s remain united as a nation. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.”

    His remarks came after a few international celebrities including pop star Rihanna commented on farmers’ protests.

    Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three new farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

  • MNS chief Raj Thackeray granted bail in 2014 toll plaza attack case

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday appeared before a court in neighboring Navi Mumbai in a case related to vandalizing of a toll plaza in 2014, and was granted bail. Thackeray is accused of delivering a provocative speech before MNS activists attacked a toll plaza in Vashi during their protest against recovery of toll on highways.

    Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Vashi, had issued a warrant against Thackeray last month but his lawyers argued the matter and subsequently it was cancelled, said MNS legal cell secretary Santosh Sawant.

    ALSO READ| Govt shouldn’t put Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar’s reputation at stake: Raj Thackeray

    However, the court directed him to remain present and accordingly he appeared around 11 am on Saturday, Sawant said. The court granted MNS chief bail on a bond of Rs 15,000 as the charges against him are bailable, he said.

    He said that the court also allowed Thackeray’s plea seeking permanent exemption from appearance. Thackeray is facing a case under IPC sections 153 (giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and other sections.

  • Government shouldn’t put Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar’s reputation at stake: Raj Thackeray

    The MNS chief also wondered how many Indians knew who Rihanna was until she tweeted about agitating farmers #39; plight.

  • Maharashtra Navnirman Sena urges RBI to set up panel to resolve transporters’ woes

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday urged the Reserve Bank of India to set up a high-power committee to look into the woes of transporters reeling under financial burdens.

    In a letter to RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, Thackeray claimed that several banks were not following the Centre’s guidelines of observing leniency while recovering dues. “The RBI and Centre had issued guidelines to banks asking them to observe leniency in the recovery process in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, banks have not been honouring these guidelines,” the MNS chief stated in the letter.

    The RBI should set up a high-power committee to address the woes of the transport sector, he said, adding that the panel should also direct action against financiers who have violated the government’s directives. Thackeray further claimed that some financiers had issued notices for recovery and were charging Rs 2,000 per notice as fine.

  • Political blamegame errupts as Thackeray government downgrades BJP leaders’ security

    By Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to scale down the security cover of opposition leaders, while extending it for Maha Vikas Aghadi ministers and leaders, has drawn flak from the BJP, which termed the action as vendetta politics.

    However, Congress came out in support of the Tackeray government, stating that the security cover upgrade or downgrade was based on police report after analysing the situation.

    The grade of security given to former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was reduced to Y plus escort from Z.

    Fadnavis’ wife and daughter’s security cover too witnessed a downgrade. Maharashtra BJP state president, who had been given Y plus security, would have none now.

    Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s cover was brought down to Y plus security from Z.

    Shatraghan Sinha found his cover had been upgraded to Y plus escort from Y, while U B Nikam’s Z security was upgraded to Z plus in Mumbai.

    Estranged Congress leader Kripashankar Singh’s security cover has been scrapped altogether.

    Union minister for state Ramdas Athwale’s security cover has reduced to Y from the earlier Y plus escort, while former governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik, former BJP minister Ashish Shelar and former Sena Minister Deepak Kesarkar’s found their security cover downgraded to Y from Y plus.

    The police department also cancelled the security cover extended to several BJP leaders, including Sudhir Mungantiwar, former CM Narayan Rane, BJP MLC Prasad Lad, BJP MLA Ram Kadam, Haribhau Bagade, Rausaheb Danave, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari, Shobhatai Fadnavis etc.

    Maharashtra state legislative council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar and Maha Vikas Aghadi minister Vijay Wadettiwar have been given Y plus escort security cover in Mumbai.

    Besides, Shiv Sena youth leader Varun Sardesai, Sena MLA Vaibhav Naik, Minister Abdul Sattar and Minister Dilip Walse Patil and Sunil Kedar have been also provided with security cover.  

    Interestingly, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s spouse Sunetra Pawar was given the X security by Uddhav Thackeray government.

    Lashing out at the government, the opposition called the action as vendetta politics. However, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant referred to the action of the Modi government, reducing the security cover of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

    “Was it vendetta politics then? Maha Vikas Aghadi is not into vendetta politics. The security was reduced or scrapped or upgraded as per the internal report of the police department,” Sawant added. 

  • Uddhav govt reduces security cover of opposition leaders in Maharashtra

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: In a move that is drawing criticism, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has scaled down the security cover of Opposition leaders while extending the same to the ministers and leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi. 

    The former CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’ security cover has been reduced to Y+ escort from Z plus. His wife Amruta and daughter Divija will also get X security from hereon. Besides, Y plus security, which was given to Maharashtra BJP president, has now been scrapped completely. 

    Interestingly, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, CM’s cousin, will also get a reduced security cover of Y plus security. 

    Estranged Congress leader Kripashankar Singh’s security cover has been scrapped. The central minister for state Ramdas Athwale’s security cover has been reduced to Y while that of former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik, former BJP minister Ashish Shelar and former Sena Deepal Ksarlar’s security covers have been reduced to Y. 

    The police department has also canceled the security cover of several other BJP leaders including Sudhir Mungantiwar, former CM Narayan Rane, BJP MLC Prasad Lad, BJP MLA Ram Kadam, Haribhau Bagade, Rausaheb Danave, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari, Shobhatai Fadnavis among others.

    On the other hand, film actor Shatrughan Sinha’s security cover has been upgraded to Y plus and UB Nikam’s Z security has been scaled up to Z plus in Mumbai. 

    Maharashtra state legislative council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar and Maha Vikas Aghadi minister Vijay Wadettiwar have been given the Y plus escort security cover in Mumbai. Besides, Shiv Sena youth leader Varun Sardesai, Sena MLA Vaibhav Naik, Minister Abdul Sattar, and Minister Dilip Walse Patil and Sunil Kedar have been also provided with the security cover.  Interestingly, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s spouse Sunetra Pawar has also been given the X security by the Uddhav Thackeray government.

    The Opposition parties in Maharashtra have termed this is vendetta politics of the state government. Responding to these, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that the Narendra Modi government also displayed vendetta politics when they downgraded the security cover of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka. “In fact, the Gandhi family had lost the two members of their family in the attack still the BJP led central government reduced the security cover of our leaders. Maha Vikas Aghadi did not do any vendetta politics. The security has been reduced or scrapped and upgraded as per the requirements of an internal report of the police department,” Sawant added.

  • Amazon seeks to withdraw suit against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: E-commerce giant Amazon on Tuesday moved a civil court here seeking to withdraw its suit against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and its chief Raj Thackeray over the party’s agitation for the use of Marathi.

    Advocate Vijay Thakur, appearing for MNS leader Akhil Chitre, said the court will decide on January 12 whether to accept the application.

    Amazon has now included Marathi among preferred languages on its app and website so the issue no longer exists, advocate Thakur said.

    Amazon’s lawyers did not respond to phone calls or messages.

    After the MNS threatened an agitation against Amazon for not providing the option of Marathi for using its app and website and also not using the language on its posters, the company had moved the court.

    Among other reliefs, it had sought an order restraining MNS workers from entering its warehouses or offices and threatening or assaulting its employees.

    Last month, alleged MNS workers had vandalized Amazon’s warehouses at Marol in Mumbai’s Andheri suburb and in Pune city.