Nashik: ‘Were No Contractors Born In Maharashtra?’ Raj Thackeray Questions Gujarat Firms For Kumbh Works

Nashik: Several contractors are being brought from Gujarat for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. “Were no contractors born in Maharashtra?” MNS chief Raj Thackeray asked, taking a swipe at the ruling dispensation. He also criticised the practice of conducting the Kumbh Mela according to orders received from above.

“If everything in Maharashtra is going to be handled in this manner, then so be it. We had made Nashik so beautiful at the time. It is painful to see its present condition,” Thackeray said. Referring to projects such as the Botanical Garden and the museum named after Balasaheb Thackeray, he alleged that such projects were being neglected simply because they had been undertaken by others. He also questioned what happened to the Smart City project announced for Nashik.

Raj Thackeray, who is on a two-day visit to Nashik, spoke to the media on Friday. He launched a strong attack on the state government over the poor condition of roads in Nashik, the administrative functioning and large-scale tree felling.

“Contractors from Gujarat have been brought in for the Nashik Kumbh Mela. Everyone is concerned only about their respective commissions, not about the development of the city,” he alleged.

Recalling the 2015 Kumbh Mela, Thackeray said, “The way the works were carried out during the 2015 Kumbh Mela was such that even the people of Nashik did not know where or what kind of work was underway. But once the works were completed, everyone could see the quality of the roads and other infrastructure. Since the objective was not to extract money or focus on the economics of the Kumbh, it was conducted in a simple and efficient manner.”
He further criticised the present administration, saying, “Today, I can see potholes across the entire city. People have lost their lives, but the administration does not seem to care. The administration is completely insensitive. It is only concerned with how much commission it can make from the works.”

District president Ankush Pawar, city president Sudam Kombde and others were present on the occasion.

If You Elected BJP, Then Suffer
Thackeray also criticised the large-scale felling of trees in Nashik. “So many trees are being cut in Nashik. There have been so many protests against it, but nothing has happened. The administration remains indifferent. If, despite all this, people chose the BJP in the elections, then suffer. What more can I say?” he remarked, addressing Nashik residents.