Uddhav Thackeray warns Maharashtra govt of violent protests over load shedding

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray today said Maharashtra government would be responsible if the protests against prolonged load shedding turned violent in the state.

"If the protests flare up, Shiv Sena will side with the people," Uddhav said.

He criticised the state government for failing to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people.

"Power shortage and load shedding is a sin committed by Congress-NCP. In neighbouring states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, there is no problem of electricity," he said.

Uddhav said 16 to 18 hours of electricity outage in rural areas of the state as well in cities like Pune, Thane and even in suburban Mumbai will have adverse effect on the students who are preparing for the examinations and also farmers.

BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari observed that the state government was not doing anything to mitigate the looming power crisis.

"People will have to celebrate a black Diwali this year and small industries and residents in rural areas will have to suffer (due to load shedding)," he said.