No Internal Unrest In Maharashtra Government; CM Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday claimed there was no internal unrest within Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, saying development works were giving a righteous response to those seeking to topple it.

Mr Thackeray also said that those who malign Maharashtra should be mindful that the state contributes the most to the national economy after virtually laying the foundation stone at Wadala, central Mumbai.

Ajit Pawar, Mr Thackeray's deputy, was credited with accelerating the GST project, he said, thanking the MVA government for pursuing land proposals and ensuring permissions were granted in time for the building to be constructed.

"There is no internal unrest in the MVA government. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has its feet firmly on the ground and is working for the state's development and progress in a planned manner," he said.

He said that the MVA has been devoting itself to planning development projects ahead of time in the last two years.

According to reports on Friday, Mr Thackeray had been upset with state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and the way his department has been functioning.

He denied that he conspired to frame up BJP leaders in false cases amid speculation that he was unhappy with Walse-Pail's reply in the Assembly to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' assertion that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state was framing up BJP leaders.

Further, to attack his opponents, Mr Thackeray said: "Many times, announcements are made and foundation stones are laid, but nothing happens beyond that...We are starting the work of the building from today and this is very important."

Through its commitment to work, the MVA government has responded to critics and those who want to topple it; he said.

As the state's chief minister noted, the treasury needs funds to complete promises made on various development projects. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is the cornerstone of the state economy and should be strengthened, he added.

Taking aim at his political rivals without naming anyone, Thackeray said: ''Those maligning the state should note that it is the largest contributor to the national economy. If it is not there, the economy of the country would suffer."

As he greeted people on the Marathi New Year Gudhi Padwa, Mr Thackeray announced his government would inaugurate several new projects of the police department for law and order protection.

The occasion is marked by the laying of the foundation stone for the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan and the inauguration of new Metro rail lines.

''It is necessary to say it aloud how we are working tirelessly for the state's welfare to counter the attempts to malign the state. We are united in our endevour to ensure the state's development and the development projects inaugurated and launched are a testimony to this fact,'' Mr Thackeray said.