NANAR UNIT: CM proposes, Sena disposes
Subhash Desai asserts at gathering in Konkan that land acquisition notification for project has been cancelled; CM retorts that Desai has no such authority
The Rs 3 lakh crore petrochemical project at Nanar is becoming a personal spat between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
The latest provocation came from Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai who is also the Industries Minister when he asserted that the land acquisition notification of May 18, 2017, for the project has been "cancelled."
Taking offence and much to the embarrassment of his ministerial colleague, Fadnavis retorted by saying that he (Desai) had no authority to revoke the notification. "The said notification has not been cancelled. That authority vests only with the High Power Committee which is headed by the Chief Secretary, and not with any minister.’’
He also made it clear that "this (cancellation of notification) was the minister's (Desai) personal opinion and it was not the view of the government. "No such proposal has been received by the HPC on this issue and no notification (on Nanar) has been cancelled," Fadnavis said.
Incidentally, Desai made this statement while addressing project affected people at Nanar on Monday in presence of Uddhav Thackeray. He had said, “I am making this announcement with the prior permission of Uddhav ji. I have revoked the notification and no land will be acquired henceforth.”
Later, referring to Desai’s announcement, Thackeray said, “Nanar will remain Nanar and no refinery will be set up here. The refinery project has cancelled and you can live happily now.” He further said, “If a land agent comes and tries to wean you away by offering a good amount for your plot, you have to expose them. You can shame him by publishing their photographs in all villages.’’
Congress Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil attacked Thackeray for his comments and said the Shiv Sena's opposition to the Nanar project political posturing and part of "a deal". "If not, then why are your ministers still working in the government under Fadnavis? You have already scored a double-century by threatening for umpteenth time that you are quitting the government," Vikhe-Patil said.
Thackeray’s bellicosity indicates that the chasm between the Sena and the BJP is widening by the day. A sample of this is Uddhav’s statement: ‘‘Shiv Sena is the tiger and it has not transformed into a cat. Nobody can dare to acquire your land. The proceeds of sale will go in the coffers of a Saudi company, a part will go in pocket of (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the balance will be cornered by Modis and Jains who have purchased land at Nanar with minimal cost.
Political observers feel Nanar has become the new sticking point with the two parties as both are bereft of potent issues. By harping on Nanar and turning it into an ego battle both parties hope to consolidate their weakening hold in Konkan.