MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday took a dig at the Maharashtra government over its aborted plan to deliver liquor at doorstep of consumers. “Instead of doorstep delivery of liquor, farmers reeling under impact of drought need doorstep delivery of relief,” he said. “Online sale and doorstep delivery of liquor doesn’t suit our culture. But, what would one do if the rulers are least bothered about following the culture.”
“Situation in Marathwada is grim. The ministers are going around the area. When their reports are filed, the state should go to the Centre with demands for relief. All those who are out there don’t need liquor. They need relief at their doorsteps.”Thackeray was reacting to a news that the state government plans to permit online sale and doorstep delivery of liquor for curbing the number of drink driving cases.
Excise minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has denied any such proposal being under consideration even as the government came under fire from all sections of the society. “Owners of a liquor shop wrote to the government seeking permission for starting online sale and doorstep delivery of liquor. However, no such proposal is under consideration as yet.”
Thackeray also took potshots at the declining law and order situation in an editorial through his party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ after a Sena MLA was attacked in Mumbai on Saturday night. “What else can one expect in a state where rulers are trying to expand party by involving criminals and goons? This is the beginning of decline of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Maharashtra. This is not good for future of the state,” the editorial said.
“The Bhima-Koregaon violence, the violence during the Maratha quota stir, and now the day-light murder and attack in Mumbai. The decline has come in past three-four years. It has begun with the officers thrusted upon Mumbai,” the Sena mouthpiece claimed.