Maharashtra Congress takes dig at Shiv Sena for opposing land ordinance

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Congress today took a dig at Shiv Sena for opposing Land Acquisition Ordinance, saying the party was part of the Union Cabinet which approved it in the first place.

"There is more to it than meets the eye. They probably want to achieve something at the state level for which they are using the opportunity," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesman Ratnakar Mahajan said.

He said the Sena was a part of the Cabinet which approved the Ordinance.

Similarly, the Land Acquisition Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, during the previous UPA government's rule, where the Sena members were present, he added.

NDA constituent Shiv Sena, which is also part of the Modi government, yesterday made it clear it will not support the land acquisition law in its present form.

"There is no question of Shiv Sena supporting any law that goes against the interest of farmers," Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said.

On December 29 last year, the government had recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence use.