LS battle: Uddhav interacts with locals to affirm development commitments in Palghar

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said views of locals will be taken into account while undertaking development projects in the tribal-dominated Palghar district of Maharashtra. Thackeray toured the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday and Wednesday during which he held roadshows and interacted with members of various communities, including Sikhs and Christians.

The Sena is contesting the Palghar Lok Sabha seat near Mumbai as part of its pre-poll alliance with the BJP. Its nominee from the seat is tribal leader Rajendra Gavit, who had earlier crossed over to the BJP from the Congress and won the Palghar Lok Sabha seat in a bypoll.

Gavit joined the Sena last month. During his tour of the constituency on Wednesday, Thackeray met locals and fishermen and held corner meetings with them. "The development projects in the district will be taken up after due consultation with locals," he assured. He said he would visit the proposed Wadhawan port and another jetty project sites to understand people's views.

"The feelings and opinions of locals would definitely be considered. If people are opposed to some works, the government would honour their opinion," he said, citing the example of Nanar refinery project in Ratnagiri. After Sena objected to the oil refinery citing local opposition, the BJP-led state government last month made it clear officially that the Rs 3 lakh crore project will not come up at Nanar in the coastal Ratnagiri district.

Meanwhile, Thackeray also said that he would look into the issues faced by fishermen in Palghar. He said he was also concerned about the health of tribal children in the region and that efforts would be made to check malnourishment among them.

(With inputs from agencies.)