'You Talk Sweetly, But Write Harshly': Thackeray Responds To Nitin Gadkari's Letter Bomb

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray saying that Shiv Sena leaders are harassing the officials and contractors.

Nitin Gadkari (L) Uddhav Thackeray (R) [File Photos]

Maharashtra News: Today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray pointed to a letter written by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari saying that he will not allow anyone to stop development work.

A few days ago, Gadkari wrote to Chief Minister Thackeray about alleged obstruction by local Shiv Sena leaders in National Highway projects in Maharashtra. Thackeray along with Union ministers Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated operations in Sitabuldi-Zero Mile Freedom Park-Kasturchand Park section of Nagpur Metro. Gadkari was present on the spot, while Thackeray and Puri digitally participated in the ceremony.

A letter written by Gadkari to the Chief Minister claimed that Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leaders were harassing the officials and contractors with "illegal demands" and had stalled some National Highway projects in the state.

In an apparent reference to Gadkari's message, Thackeray said, "You talk very sweetly but write harshly. Our relationships are different. You are committed to working and so are we."

"Even you know the teachings of Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray... He never let anyone create obstacles when it's about the welfare of the people. I want to assure you that I will not allow anyone to come in the way of such welfare activities," Thackeray said.

The Shiv Sena supremo further said that the Maharashtra government is working with the Centre to make Nagpur "one of the best cities in the country". Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari thanked Thackeray and State Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde for their support for development projects in Lok Sabha constituency Nagpur.

Meanwhile, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that Central government is ready to allocate an additional Rs 1 lakh crore for major projects in Maharashtra.