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A coordination panel comprising senior leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra will look into various aspects of the National Population Register (NPR), Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Addressing the media in Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, where the budget session of the state legislature is underway, Thackeray said, "Responsible leaders of the three parties will be part of it (coordination committee on NPR)."
"I won't let anyone snatch the rights of any citizens of Maharashtra. I am very clear on this," he said, when asked about differences in the ruling alliance over the implementation of NPR in the state.
On his wife Rashmi Thackeray's appointment as editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Thackeray said he had to quit the editor's post after the chief ministership "unexpectedly" came to him.
"Saamana, Shiv Sena and Thackeray can't be separated. We are one family. With Rashmi becoming editor, there was speculation if the language of the paper will change. I want to tell that the language will remain the same. Editorial responsibility will continue to be handled by Sanjay Raut.
"Saamana is Shiv Sena's mouthpiece. The paper will continue to reflect the party's stand and my views. There will be editorial freedom too," he said.
"The sort of language used in Saamana is our paternal language and it will remain the same. Don’t say later that Rashmi Thackeray criticised Uddhav Thackeray. It could be the subject of some people’s interest. But most of the views expressed are mine, that of the Shiv Sena and beyond that, there is also this freedom of the press. Hence, Sanjay Raut has been discharging the editorial duty very well and he will continue to do that," he said.
The chief minister also said he is going to Ayodhya on March 7 to offer prayers to Lord Ram.
"I have faith and therefore, I am heading (to Ayodhya) for a darshan of Lord Shriram. Where’s the question of politics in having a glimpse of god? Where is politics in it? The doors of god don’t get shut just because you formed an alliance with the Congress or some other party. God is god and belongs to everyone. I will go (to Ayodhya)," he said.
"Those (from among the alliance partners) who want to come, will come. God’s doors are not closed for anyone. Whenever they want to go, they can go (for seeking darshan). They may come with me (to seek darshan), may go before me or go there after I pay a visit (to the temple)," he said.
On loan waiver to farmers, Thackeray said the government has already started making farmers who took loans of up to Rs 2 lakh debt free.
"We will waive off loans of those whose loan accounts are linked with Aadhar," he said.
Authentication of over 10 lakh farmers has been completed, he said. "The MVA government's loan waiver scheme will be implemented within the stipulated time frame. My government will pay attention to see farmers remain happy," he added.
"Authentication of 10 lakh farmers' accounts has been done and transfer of funds has started in 7.5 lakh accounts," he said.
The government plans to complete the implementation soon and also start a new loan waiver scheme of over Rs 2 lakh for farmers and and also an incentive scheme to those who regularly pay their dues, he said.
On Delhi violence and precautionary measures being taken to avoid a repeat, Thackeray said, "Precaution is being taken in Mumbai and Maharashtra to see no such incident takes place. I thank the police and citizens too for being vigilant. They understand who is doing this."
Asked who he was pointing at, Thackeray said, “Samajhne walo ko ishara kaafi hai. Ishara nahi kiya toh bhi samajhte hai (mere hint is sufficient for those who understand, they will understand even if there is no hint)."