Raj performs bhoomi puja for civic works amidst BJP boycott

Nashik: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday performed bhoomi puja for a slew of development projects in the city amidst a boycott by his party`s local ally BJP.

Most of these works, spread over the city, related to road construction/widening and are being undertaken in view of the Kumbh Mela to be organised here in 2015. Nashik Mayor Yatin Wagh, MNS legislators Vasant Gite, Uttam Dhikle and Nitin Bhosale and party Corporators, among others, were present on the occasion. MNS is in power in the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) in alliance with BJP. BJP has boycotted all civic programmes apparently to express anger over Raj`s criticism of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. On January 9, the MNS chief, who is here for a party meeting, had said Modi should have resigned from the Chief Minister`s post after he was named BJP`s candidate for Prime Ministership last year. Laxman Savaji, BJP`s city President, said Nashik unit of the party has sent a proposal to State BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis urging him to withdraw support to MNS in the civic body as it was unilaterally taking decisions. MNS has not been taking BJP into confidence on civic matters. Hence, the party decided to boycott bhoomi puja ceremonies, Savaji added.