BJP criticises Maharashtra government's toll collection policy

Criticising Maharashtra government for toll collection, which sparked wide protests in various parts of the state, BJP here claimed the toll has been "misused" on a large scale.
"Toll was misused on a large scale in the state. The tendering process in the state is 'managed'. There is 'vasooli' (recovery) going on at toll plazas," Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis told reporters here today.
He also alleged that the tendering process is "managed" by the state government.
Stressing on a credible alternative to toll, Fadnavis said that if and when the Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI government comes to power, "vasooli" would not allowed.

Fadnavis also slammed Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil for his statement that the state government would monitor CCTV footages of vandalisation by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers.
"The Maharashtra home minister always makes such loaded statements. He has a habit of making such statements, though nobody takes his statements seriously," Fadnavis said.

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde also lashed out at the Maharashtra government saying, "Had the government taken note of it in the beginning itself, the situation would have never come to this".
He also equated toll collection with the "jizyah" tax.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Patil said that the government would check the recording of Raj Thackeray's speech.

"If he is found guilty, action will be taken," Patil said.