Raj Thackeray comes out in support of Campa Cola residents

Action against the Campa Cola residents is completely unjust and should be stopped, says Thackeray

Calling the action against residents of illegal flats in Worli's Campa Cola compound as "unjust", MNS chief Raj Thackeray today said the builders and authorities concerned who are responsible for such unauthorised structures should be punished and sent to jail.

Replying to a query on the Campa Cola issue, Thackeray said, "I am not just talking about Campa Cola. There are several illegal buildings in Thane as well. But why should the residents bear the brunt when they have nothing to do with it. When will the builders and administrative officers responsible for such unauthorised structures be punished and sent to jail?"

"The action against the Campa Cola residents is completely unjust and should be stopped," he told reporters when asked.

"During the construction of such illegal buildings the government machinery wilfully connives and then suddenly after so many years they say that the structure is unauthorised," Thackeray said adding that the people who purchased these flats have been regularly paying all the taxes for years and it was wrong to act against them when the real culprits go unpunished.

Noted playback singer Lata Mangeshkar had yesterday come out in support of the residents of the Campa Cola housing society. The 84-year-old singer had said the residents should not be penalised for the wrong committed by the builders.

In the wake of Maharashtra Government announcing closure of 44 toll plazas, Thackeray said the state government should come out with a proper policy.

"Toll has become a cash business. We need to have a clarity about where the collected money is going and how many toll booths are there in Maharashtra. The government yesterday announced closure of 44 toll plazas. But earlier it had said that 65 booths would be shut down," he told reporters during a press conference.

"Though as per the Centre's policy, there cannot two toll plazas within 80 km distance, there are several that are flouting this norm," Thackeray said adding that it was wrong to collect toll when there were no basic facilities provided to people along those roads.

On the Kumbha Mela to be held in Nashik in 2015-16, the MNS chief said the state government and the Centre should provide adequate funding for the mega-event.