Uddhav Thackeray threatening protest panel head, claims Narayan Rane

Mumbai: Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh leader Narayan Rane has alleged that the Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray threatened the leader of the committee that is protesting against the proposed Nanar petro-refinery in Ratnagiri district. Mr Rane and Vinesh Walam, son of Ashok Walam who heads the committee, levelled the allegations against Mr Thackeray. Mr Rane, a former chief minister, also said that local police officers were pressurising villagers to give up their land for the project.

Mr Rane, chief of the newly-formed party, on Friday openly opposed the setting up of the petro-refinery. He also levelled serious charges against Mr Thackeray and his party Shiv Sena. “Uddhav keeps talking about his opposition to the project in public meetings. But his leaders, like industry minister Subhash Desai and member of parliament Vinayak Raut, have brought this project to the Konkan. The industry ministry has started giving notices for land acquisition. This is how Shiv Sena is a backstabber,” said Mr Rane.

Vinesh Walam said that Mr Thackeray asked protesters to not oppose Shiv Sena. “On November 28, when my father met Sena leaders in Matoshree, they asked him not to mention names of Sena leaders or not to oppose them,” claimed Mr Walam. According to Vinesh Walam, his father has been admitted to Andheri’s Holy Spirit Hospital due to the chest pain and pressure which he is facing from the officers over the refinery issue.

Mr Rane also said that police officers and local revenue officers are threatening villagers asking them to not oppose the project. When told that the Bharatiya Janata Party is in control of the home and revenue ministries and asked why he was not speaking out against it, Mr Rane said, “I have asked for an appointment with the chief minister and will brief him about the issue in detail.”

Narayan Rane

Claiming that petro refinery will damage the environment, Mr Rane also said that he would meet Prime minister Narendra Modi if necessary and convey the concerns of the villagers to him. “If industry ministry of Maharashtra had rejected the proposal of setting up the project there, the Centre wouldn’t have gone further,” said Mr Rane.