New Delhi, April 27: Accusing Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray of a U-turn on Jaitapur nuclear power plant, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said he had backed the project but started singing a different tune apparently after the Japan nuclear accident.
Addressing a press conference along with Union Ministers V Narayanasamy and Jairam Ramesh, Chavan said that Thackeray had met him along with a delegation and voiced support for the Jaitapur project.
“I had detailed discussion with Uddhav Thackeray after which he had agreed support the Jaitapur project. I think he took a different turn after Japan,” Chavan said.
He steered clear of a question whether he would meet Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in a bid to win back support of the party which is the lone major political organisation in the state opposing the project.
Ramesh took a dig at the Shiv Sena, saying the party had declared to “drown” the Enron power plant in the Arabian Sea in 1993 but gave the go-head to the project once it came to power in 1995.
Chavan alleged that “outsiders” were instigating local people at Jaitapur and the protests against the project were based on “misconceptions and rumours”.
“We appeal to all sections of society. We are prepared to hold discussions with any group. Our doors are open,” he said.
Chavan said he had made attempts to engage the civil society by organising a meeting with experts in Mumbai and by addressing public meetings in Madban and Sakhri Nate.
To a question, the Chief Minister said that even social activist Anna Hazare had told him that he was in favourof nuclear power.
–Agencies–