Set up SEZs only after holding dialogue with farmers: Uddhav

Mumbai, Apr 13 (UNI) Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray today stressed the need to hold dialogue with local people before finalising any 'Special Economic Zone' (SEZ) to avoid incidents like Nandigram.

In an interview to UNI, Mr Thackeray said ''We want that farmers should not be forced to give their fertile land. Only non-agricultural land should be used for developing the SEZs.'' He said Shiv Sena, which advocates the sons of soil theory and fights for their cause is not against the development. But it should not be over the bodies of people.

''We will support developmental projects only after dialogues with the people,'' he said and cited Wadhvan Port issue which the then Sena-BJP government had considered for development, but shelved the idea after locals refused it.

Mr Thackeray had a dig at CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat who had alleged that bones were found in the medicines of yoga guru Baba Ramdeo. ''What is she doing now after the Nandigram incident where farmers lost their lives in firing?'' he asked.

Mr Thackeray's statement assumes significance in the backdrop of large-scale SEZs that are likely to come up in the vicinity of Mumbai but are being opposed by locals.

Reliance Industries Limited is at the forefront of setting up SEZs. Even legislators have voiced their concern about these SEZs, he said.

Junior Thackeray echoed the sentiments of RSS Chief K C Sudershan over the removal of India's map from the new Rs 2 coin which has been replaced by a cross sign. He demanded as to why the emblem of 'Ashoka Pillar' was made small on the coin.

''Hindutva will continue to be an important plank for Sena. The Hindutva wave is still prevalent in the country, which is clearly evident by assembly results in Punjab and Uttarakhand, Mr Thackeray said.

UNI