E-way flip-flop denting party: Sainiks

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena’s flip-flop over Samruddhi Mahamarg is damaging the party’s image on ground, said party sources. The Sena had earlier taken a strong stand against the ambitious project however recently, MSRDC minister Eknath Shinde participated in programmes distributing compensation to farmers in Nagpur and Thane. This sent out a contradictory message and added fuel to claims that the party had softened its stance on every issue after initially criticising the BJP.

While Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has rejected all such claims, party leaders from Nasik, Aurangabad, Buldhana and Amaravati are of the view that Sena’s image will take a beating if such flip-flops continue.

Sena has five MPs and many MLAs in the region through which the proposed highway passes. Uddhav had addressed farmers of this region at Nashik in the last week of May, pledging total support to their agitation. “We will not allow the government to snatch land of the farmers,” he had then assured the farmers.

However, last week, Shinde himself presented compensatory cheques to farmers from Nagpur and Shahapur; an act which turned the wave against Sena with farmers’ leaders and opposition parties crying foul. While Uddhav addressed the media and tried to clear the air, farmer leaders did not buy his pitch. The flip-flop has disturbed party leaders on ground and sources have confirmed that Sena leaders from Nashik, Aurangabad, Buldhana and Amaravati have expressed their displeasure in party circles. “We were not expecting this sudden volte-face. We have to face the people now. Farmers are asking us whether we are with them or not,” said a Sena MP from the region through which the proposed Mahamarg passes. A Sena MLA from Marathwada on condition of anonymity said, “The opposition may raise this issue in the coming session. Our party won’t be able to face it.”

Ambitious project

The Samruddhi Mahamarg is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's ambitious project connecting Mumbai to Nagpur. The 710 km expressway requires a total 20,820 hectares of land, of which, 8,520 hectare will be used for the actual road and 10,800 hectare will be used for townships. This highway will pass through nine districts across four regions of the state. However, farmers from almost all districts have protested.

MSRDC tried to increase compensation for the project but even then, farmer organisations turned down the proposal. "We will not give our land at any cost. The government cannot forcibly take our land from us. If they try, there will be aggressive agitation in all districts," said Baban Harne, a farmer leader.