11.4.09

Shiv Sena's Manifesto


Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray reiterated the “sons of the soil” issue in his party’s Lok Sabha manifesto by demanding that 80% of government jobs be given to locals. Releasing his party’s manifesto, Thackeray said that if the NDA came to power at the Centre, the Sena would champion the needs of ‘bhumiputras’ in every state. “We are the original promoters of the Marathi manoos agenda and have the support of the majority of Maharashtrians,” Thackeray said, implying the MNS had hijacked the issue. Interestingly, the manifesto was released at a plush hotel just a stone’s throw from the Shiv Sena’s Nariman Point office. “Mumbai contributes more than 35% of central revenue, so Maharashtra should get at least 25% of central funds for development,” Thackeray said. The manifesto criticized the Centre for failing to tackle terrorism effectively. Thackeray called for a drive against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and for every citizen to have a national ID card. Thackeray said though he supported the idea of having a Marathi manoos as Prime Minister, it need not be Pawar. He said whoever becomes the next PM should solve the power crisis in the state. His manifesto demanded zero load-shedding in the state. “More than 1,400 exam centres had power cuts this time,” he said, while expressing need for more power generation plants in the state. The manifesto also criticised the central government for its inability to tackle terrorism. “Afzal Guru should be hanged and stringent acts like POTA should be invoked on those arrested for terror activities,” .The manifesto also demanded resolution of the boundary dispute with Karnataka and justice for Marathi speaking people in Belgaum. He said they got a raw deal from the Congress government. Regarding the Sena attack on lawyer Anjali Waghmare, who is representing terrorist Ajmal Kasab, Thackeray said, “The Sena did not oppose Afzal Guru’s lawyer, but look what happened.

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