MPCC says it's not against Thackeray memorial at other place

Addressing a press conference, MPCC spokesman Sachin Sawant said Shivaji Park is known as a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mumbai since the British era.

"It should remain that way. We are opposed to efforts to change the history of the Park. We are not opposed to a memorial for Thackeray at other place," he added.

Sawant said government had only given permission for Thackeray cremation at Shivaji Park for a day. "Shiv Sena is unnecessarily dragging the issue turning it political," he added.

When asked about the delay in Indu Mill land transfer for Ambedkar Memorial, Sawant said Indu mill land is not a state government land, but that of the National Textile Corporation (NTC), which is a public limited company.

"Talks are on at the highest level in this regard and we are confident that a final decision would be taken soon," he added.

To a question on Congress' stand on white paper on irrigation, Sawant said the party was still studying the report. "We will discuss it in the party forum and then come out with our response," he said.

Sawant said MPCC has sent 126 co-ordinators in 126 assembly constituencies in Gujarat to assist the local Congress unit in election campaign. Over 5,000 Congress workers and office-bearers from Maharashtra are already in Gujarat.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's campaign tour will be finalised in consultation with the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee in a day or two, he said.