Uddhav takes credit for clearing hawkers

After a protest march against the Railways by MNS on October 5, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday claimed that it was because of Shiv Sena that encroaching hawkers were being removed from foot-overbridges at railways stations across the city. He also claimed credit for the increase in honorarium of anganwadi workers.

Addressing a press conference at Shiv Sena Bhavan, Thackeray said that whether it was the issue of anganwadi workers or hawkers — Shiv Sena ministers had raised their voices during cabinet meetings. He said that when they met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, they had raised both these issues along with the issue of security guards who had resorted to strike. He also thanked the state government for yielding to Sena's demands, adding that Shiv Sena has never put pressure on the government for personal demands but it has always worked for people's issues. Thackeray said that the chief minister had assured to sort out the issue of security guards and Sena believes that he would fulfil his promise.

When reporters pointed out that the chief minister will be attending a program to mark NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare's 30 years in public life, Thackeray replied, "It is for the Chief Minister to say in this function that his own allegations against Tatkare were wrong." While in Opposition, Fadnavis had levelled allegations against Tatkare about scams in irrigation projects.

When asked about his reaction on Narayan Rane's decision to join NDA, Thackeray did not wish to comment.