Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday attacked Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not raising the issue of the multi-billion dollar Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant deal with the Prime Minister. His remarks come after Vedanta-Foxconn chose Gujarat as the destination for setting up the plant.
"CM Eknath Shinde has gone again to perform 'Mujra' in Delhi today... Why do Maharashtra projects go to other states? Why doesn't he speak to the PM about this? Doesn't he have the courage to speak on it?" Uddhav was quoted by ANI as saying.
While addressing around 25,000 Shiv Sainiks at the NESCO convention centre at Goregaon, Thackeray said that the Maharashtra government should bring back the Foxconn-Vedanta semiconductor project rather than involve in levelling allegations. He also urged the Eknath Shinde-led government and the Opposition to come together for the larger interest of the state.
During the event, Thackeray also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct Mumbai civic polls and assembly elections within a month in Maharashtra.
"I challenge Union HM Amit Shah to hold BMC election along with state assembly elections, we will show Shiv Sena's strength. Earlier too many Nizams and Shahs tried to capture Mumbai but failed in their nefarious attempt," he added.
However, Shinde hit back at Thackeray saying that a lot of industries went out of the state due to the previous government but Vedanta will come to Maharashtra.
"Our government is two months old and we have taken decisions that were not taken in two years. Vedanta will come to Maharashtra. I have spoken with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah and have been assured. A lot of industries went out of the state because of the previous government," said the Maharashtra Chief Minister, as reported by ANI.
(With ANI inputs)