Uddhav Thackeray fooling people on Ratnagiri green refinery project, says Narayan Rane

Mumbai: Stating that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was “fooling” people, former Congress leader Narayan Rane on Friday dared him to shut down the green refinery project in Konkan’s Ratnagiri district. “Uddhav Thackeray is fooling MPs, MLAs and the people. It is the policy of the Shiv Sena chief, on one hand, to say that he opposes the project and, on the other, engage in farm land acquisition for the project,” Rane, who has set up the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh (MSP), told reporters in Ratnagiri.

“If he (Uddhav Thackeray) has the courage, he should get the project scrapped,” Rane challenged. Rane had earlier said that the proposed green refinery would spoil the flora and fauna of the Konkan region. He said he disagreed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ comment that the refinery would not lead to pollution. Producing a anonymous threat letter addressed to Ashok Walamb, chief of the Sangharsh Samiti, Rane had earlier said that Walamb was threatened by Thackeray at Matoshree. Rane earlier alleged that  leader of Sangharsh Samiti against the project was threatened by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray by calling him at Matoshree, residence of Thackeray on November 28, 2017.

Claiming Ashok Walamb, chief of Sangharsh Samiti was threatened by Thackeray at Matoshree, Rane produced the letter of threat to Walamb by unknown person and without signature of anyone before the media. However, Vinay, son of Walamb while recalling the incidence of the day said, “Thackeray told my father not to speak against Sena leaders and asked he is ready to apologise. He had assured Sena legislators will oppose the project in winter session and the project will be withdrawn during the session.” , the letter written to Walamb has stated not to oppose the project and not speak against leaders. The letter has mentioned mobile number and instructed to contact the person.