MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray showed his resistance over the refinery project in Barsu, Ratnagiri district, after stating that it’s coming up close to a UNESCO protected site where no development project can come up.
In the same breath, Raj talked about development of the Konkan region which is suffering due to exploitation of locals by local politicians and that the state cannot tolerate industries going out.
According to the UNESCO website, the plateau at Barsu consists of more 62 geoglyphs. It is the largest cluster of geoglyphs in the coastal belt of Konkan. One of them has a larger-than-life carving of man and two tigers.
During his speech in Ratnagiri on Saturday, Raj teased his cousin Uddhav Thackeray and his party Shiv Sena (UBT). Raj said that there is a different opinion between Shiv Sena (UBT) local representatives and their party.
He said, "What is their party’s stand?. There is no party, but today its president (Udhhav) came to Barsu, saying his feelings (over the refinery issue) will be the same as of the locals. Now you are saying it, it's meaningless. When people elect you, it is the responsibility of the government to take care of the interest (social-financial) of locals, instead of saying whatever your feelings (locals), will be ours. I request the people of Kokan to beware such people who are fooling you."
Raj also made a critical statement on NCP chief Sharad Pawar after referring to his resignation and subsequent withdrawal episode.
The MNS chief urged people not to sell their land, as losing their land holding means loss of identity. He criticized local political representatives for not providing accurate information to locals and asked people to question them about poor development work in the area.
He also said that public representatives knew in advance which part of the region is going for development and before any project comes in the area , they start buying land and locals do not get a clue about the reason behind such deals.
Raj supported the development of tourism in the Konkan region for betterment of locals.
