Take Jaitapur project to Gujarat: Uddhav Thackeray's veiled attack at PM Modi

Mumbai, Mar 10: After keeping Centre on tenterhooks by keeping its cards closed over crucial Land Acquisition Bill, key BJP ally at Centre and in Maharashtra Shiv Sena has once again given some tough times to the Narendra Modi Government.

Toughening its stance vis-a-vis the BJP on the upcoming Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said if the BJP wanted it so badly, it could shift the 'monstrous project' to Gujarat.

"We are totally opposed to the Jaitapur project. It will destroy the entire Konkan region. If they (BJP) feel it is so good and precious, they can take it to Gujarat," Uddhav Thackeray said in a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He contended that the project was entirely unnecessary for the state as the amount of power it would generate can easily be purchased from other states, even if it meant paying higher price for it.

"For a few megawatts of power, you cannot inconvenience the entire people of the state. This 'monstrous' project should not be imposed on the people of the Konkan region," Thackeray told media persons here on Monday evening.

JNPP, the world's biggest nuclear power project in terms of net electric power rating, is coming up in Madhban village in Ratnagiri district of the coastal Konkan region of the state.

The 9,900 MW power plant, constructed with collaboration of French firm Areva S.A., is spread over nearly 1,000 hectares of land in and around Madhban.

In continuation of the Sena's opposition to the project since the past few years, Thackeray also announced launching a fresh anti-JNPP agitation from March 16.

Reiterating the party's opposition to the land acquisition bill, Thackeray said if any land is forcibly acquired for private schools, hospitals and industry, the party will resist it.

"We have given our suggestions to the Prime Minister in writing. We will act according to the direction of the party chief Uddhav Thackeray," party leader Sanjay Raut told PTI, indicating that the bill in its present form was not acceptable to the party.

Shiv Sena is the second largest constituent of the BJP- led NDA, having 18 members in the Lower House and three in the Upper House.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)