Jaitapur project 'bound to be scrapped', says Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena today once again raked up the contentious issue of Jaitapur nuclear plant saying the project was "bound to be scrapped" and the party will continue to oppose it as long as locals do.
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra revenue minister Eknath Khadse, however, cautioned the alliance partner to draw a line when it comes to protesting.
Sena has been opposing the 10,000 MW nuclear power plant project at Jaitapur in coastal Ratnagiri district, to be set up by the French firm Areva, while BJP-led governments in the state and the Centre support the project.
It also figured in the pacts signed during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France.

"Nothing will happen as far as the Jaitapur project is concerned and the plant will finally be shut down. It has been seen several times that others mock us in the beginning but finally toe our line. Same would be the case here," Sena leader and Maharashtra industries minister Subhash Desai said.
Desai also took a swipe at the BJP, saying of the five changes Sena had suggested in the controversial land acquisition bill, the Centre had to accept three. "If the BJP had listened to us when we first protested against the bill, it would not have to bear so much humiliation."

He said the Sena would continue to oppose the Jaitapur project as long as the local did. "Fishermen are operating there for so many years. Everything will close down. While setting up Tarapur Atomic Power station, the government had assured that there would be no impact on people's livelihood, but later they banned fishing within 10 km radius," he said.

Reacting to Desai's statements, Khadse said, the party should not waste time opposing development projects.
"Whenever, development work is to be done, sacrifices have to be made....Wasting time on protesting development work is uncalled for. On one hand they say stop load-shedding and on the other hand they are opposing a power plant," Khadse told PTI.

"The Sena should understand where to draw the line and stop protesting," he said.