Meeting with CM positive, but our stir will continue: Raj Thackeray

MNS chief Raj Thackeray today termed his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over the toll issue ‘positive’. He, however, said his party’s agitation would continue till the government implemented changes in the toll policy.   [caption id=“attachment_1389019” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Raj Thackeray. AFP image[/caption] “Our agitation against toll will continue and my party workers will not pay toll anywhere in the state till the issues raised by us are resolved by the state government. I also urge the people of Maharashtra not to pay at the toll booths. If anyone doesn’t want to pay and contractors try to collect by threatening him or her, then we will create ruckus at the contractors’ home. The state government should not blame us for the situation,” warned Thackeray. He was speaking to mediapersons at his residence, Krishna Kunj, in Shivaji Park, Dadar (W). He said his planned protest on February 21 from Girgaum Chowpatty to Mantryalaya has been postponed following the ‘positive response’ from the chief minister. “I hope that assurances given by chief minister will be fulfilled before the code of conduct for upcoming Lok Sabha election comes into force. If that does not happen, then we are free to do whatever we want,” said Thackeray. He added that the chief minister also admitted to the mistakes in the toll collection matter. “The number of accidents on highways in Maharashtra is higher as compared to other states and there are no facilities such as trauma care centre, ambulances,” said Thackeray, adding that the opposition criticizes him because he speaks against the government. Thackeray referred to the letters written by his party and its transport wing to the state government and claimed that his party had been following the issue consistently. “Anna Hazare had also written to the state government over the issue. But the latter shut 65 toll plazas after our first agitation. It shows that it understands our language and not that of Anna,” he responded when asked that Anna had also taken up the issue earlier.