Gadkari launches 'quit Maharashtra' agitation

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Aug 9 (UNI) The state unit BJP chief Nitin Gadkari today launched a 'quit Maharashtra' agitation against the democratic front (DF) government in the state.

To make it symbolic on the occasion of August Kranti Din, Mr Gadkari led over 5000 party activists to court arrest at the crowded Kranti Chowk area.

Criticising the Congress-NCP led state government, Mr Gadkari alleged that those in power have not spared anyone, from farmers to students. Many of those in power have already grabbed Muslim wakf properties and now they have turned their attention to the Hindu temples and muths, he alleged.

Load shedding was continuing and had badly affected people, including students and farmers, he said and urged workers to highlight the state government follies. ''Bring their mistakes to the notice of people. Do not rest till you overthrow the corrupt government,'' he said while addressing the workers before their arrest.

Former state minister Haribhau Bagade, MLC Shrikant Joshi, MLA Sandu Patil Lokhande, Aurangabad mayor Dr Bhagwat Karad, the city unit chief Atul Save and party general secretary Basavraj Mangrule were among those arrested along with Mr Gadkari. They were later released by police.

UNI