Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday declined a meeting with Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to protest the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) with Saudi Amaraco for a stake in the proposed $44 billion Nanar oil refinery project at in Maharashtra’s Konkan area which is being opposed by the Sena.
Sena has already registered its protest over the signing of the MoU in the presence of Mr. Pradhan keeping the State government unaware about the development. Sensing Sena’s discontent the minister had sought time to meet Mr. Thackeray on Wednesday which the latter refused reportedly asking the need to meet after MoU was signed.
Saudi Aramco and ADNOC signed the pact on Monday to jointly develop and build the integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex at Nanar in coastal Ratnagiri district.
Aramco and ADNOC will together hold 50 % stake in the project, while the remaining half will be split between state-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL).
“Forget Dharmendra Pradhan, we will not even meet the Prime Minister to discuss Nanar oil refinery project,” said Sena MP Vinayak Raut. Mr. Raut represents the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency, where the project is proposed.
“We are proud that Uddhavji refused to meet Dharmendra Pradhan. We are not interested in discussion over the issue. Bringing Arab companies in Konkan will not be tolerated,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Sena ministers raised the issue in State cabinet meeting. “Despite knowing our opposition to the project, the Centre is purposely moving ahead by signing new MoUs. Chief Minister and Industries Minister of Maharashtra were kept in dark before signing the MoU. We have registered our protest in front of the CM,” said Transport Minister Divakar Raote, while speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Even as Sena ministers registered the protest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called a meeting with Industries Minister Subhash Desai on Thursday to discuss the developments.