Maha Cong sees conspiracy in lathicharge on Marathi-speakers

Maharashtra Congress chief Manikrao Thakre today claimed that the police's action against Marathi-speaking agitators at Yellur in Karnataka was a conspiracy to malign the party.
"Congress leaders will not order such excesses. What has happened is a cause of concern. Action should be taken against concerned officers," Thakre said at a party meeting here.
He said he would speak to Karnataka Congress leaders in this regard, and the incident was possibly a conspiracy to defame Congress (which is in power in Karnataka).
Maharashtra Congress was firmly behind the Marathi- speaking population of Karnataka, he added.
Police had yesterday lathicharged the locals who were protesting against removal of a signboard at Yellur, a border town dominated by Marathi-speaking people. The signboard said the town was part of Maharashtra.

Thakre also lashed out at the Narendra Modi government for its failure to deliver on its poll promises.

"Prices have not come down in the last two months, but have spiralled. It was because of the Congress's pressure that the rail fare hike was partially rolled back. There have been incursions by China and ceasefire violations by Pakistan, but the Prime Minister is silent. People have realised that they were misled during the Lok Sabha polls," he said.
Referring to Congress's victory in the Uttarakhand by-elections, Thakre said the tide was turning, and asked party workers to highlight the achievements of the party-led government in Mumbai in upgrading the infrastructure.

He expressed confidence that Congress will better its performance in the Assembly polls compared to 2009 when it had contested 29 seats in Mumbai and won 17.