If elected to rule Maharashtra in the coming state assembly elections, the Shiv Sena-BJP combine plans to curb the flow of migrants to Mumbai and other urban areas of the state.
The alliance’s joint manifesto, released in the city on Dussehra Day, says: “To reduce the burden on Mumbai’s infrastructure, the influx will be stopped through an independent mechanism.”
Without elaborating on this “independent mechanism”, Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray said: “Enough is enough now. Our cities cannot bear more influx as they are on the verge of collapse. Our priority would be to secure the interests of the locals who are staying here for years and suffering due to outsiders.”
Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari of the BJP — a junior partner of the Sena, but with a national stake — were present at the press conference when Thackeray made the announcements. They articulated their views on all aspects of the manifesto barring the “outsiders” issue. On the subject of influx, the duo maintained a stony silence even as Thackeray held forth.
Though the manifesto mentioned only Mumbai, Thackeray, replying to questions raised by the media, said the rule would apply to all migrants entering the state.
Political pundits feel this clause in the manifesto could sway votes away from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray, which had manage to wean away a lot of Maharashtrian votes during the Lok Sabha elections. The Sena obviously assumes that since the MNS is nowhere near power, the Marathi voter may prefer to back the Sena-BJP combine as it is a serious contender for power.
While elaborating on the party stand, Uddhav Thackeray said he would ensure that the rights of locals were secured first. His definition of local people was, however, not restricted to just the Marathi manoos. “People who have been living here for years, who talk Marathi and have adopted the regional culture are locals for us. They don’t create a threat to the people here,” he added.
“I know that no person likes to leave his home happily. The people coming from other states come here because they don’t find employment in their states. But providing them employment and a source of income is not our responsibility. Their respective governments should take care of it.”
The manifesto places special emphasis on sops to sons-of-the-soil, apart from the statement on keeping outsiders out of the state. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has emphasised the need for introducing a work permit system in the state.
Political pundits feel this clause in the manifesto could sway votes away from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray, which had manage to wean away a lot of Maharashtrian votes during the Lok Sabha elections.
The Sena obviously assumes that since the MNS is nowhere near power, the Marathi voter may prefer to back the Sena-BJP combine as it is a serious contender for power.
While elaborating on the party stand, Uddhav Thackeray said he would ensure that the rights of locals were secured first.
His definition of local people was, however, not restricted to just the Marathi manoos. "People who have been living here for years, who talk Marathi and have adopted the regional culture are locals for us. They don't create a threat to the people here," he added. "I know that no person likes to leave his home happily.
"The people coming from other states come here because they don't find employment in their states. But providing them employment and a source of income is not our responsibility. Their respective governments should take care of it."
The manifesto placesspecial emphasis on sopsto sons-of-the-soil, apartfrom the statement onkeeping outsiders out ofMaharashtra. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has emphasised the need for introducing a work permit system in the state.
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