Team Shinde is lying about Vedanta-Foxconn plant, says Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Former chief minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction are lying about the $20 billion Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant.

The plant was initially expected to be set up in Maharashtra. But it recently went to Gujarat. The Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government is being criticised for failing to secure the deal.

Thackeray said that Mumbai is the financial capital of India and BJP is trying to take these industries to Gujarat. "Now Vedanta has gone, they have been continuously lying. You should be ashamed. It's gone, I will come with you, let's try to bring it back," said the Shiv Sena leader.

He also criticised Shinde for being silent. Speaking to party workers in Goregaon, Thackeray said he would rather have a few honest people than a huge number of traitors. "Even now if someone wants to leave the party, they should leave and go right now," he added.

He also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to conduct Mumbai civic polls and assembly elections within a month and defeat it. Shah asked BJP to show Shiv Sena its place in the polls. Thackeray responded by saying: "I dare you to try it. Shiv Sena's relationship with the city was unbreakable and the party was deeply connected with the day-to-day life of ordinary Mumbaikars, rushing to their help whenever required."