Irrigated land in Maha only for Marathis: Raj

Giving a new dimension to his son-of-the-soil campaign, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said on Friday that land under irrigation in the state should be given only to Marathi people.

"Irrigated land in the state should only be given to Marathi people," Raj said in a letter written to Marathi people in connection with Marathi Bhasha Divas (language day) on Saturday.

Raj, who had been in the forefront of a campaign against North Indians last year, said his party would push for an ordinance which will deny a non-Maharashtrian possession of any land under irrigation in the state.

Citing example of neighbouring Karnataka, Raj said, "My party members would pursue the matter with the state government to pass an ordinance like the one in Karnataka."

Pressing the demand further, Raj said the decision about the irrigated lands should also apply to land acquired earlier.

"Non-Marathis holding land under irrigation should share it with Marathis, else we will fight for it," he said.

Responding to criticism for not coming out with any development programme, Raj said the development has been stalled due to 'influx of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.'

"The north Indians have stopped the growth of Marathi youths by grabbing jobs from farming to industry sector," he said.

Raj also claimed credit for the Centre's decision to give priority to locals in railway jobs. "The government has given serious thought to my demand and Railway Minister announced job priority to locals and railway exam to be conducted in Marathi," he said.

On the eve of 'Marathi Bhasha Divas', Raj has appealed all the Maharashtrians to speak in Marathi. "Maharashtra means Marathi language and you should insist for it," he said.

Image: Raj Thackeray