BJP-Shiv Sena yet to fulfil its poll promise of making Mumbai toll-free, says Raj Thackeray

He said that in the manifesto of the newly formed Shinde-Fadnavis government last year, one of the promises was to make Maharashtra toll-free.

Hitting out at the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday questioned the hike in the toll fee in Thane and Mumbai.

The MNS chief, for whom the toll issue in Maharashtra has been a hobby horse, further demanded to know the reason behind Chief Minister Eknath Shinde withdrawing his court petition against toll collection in the two cities.

“I have a question for Eknath Shinde. He had himself filed a petition against the hike in the toll fees. But he has withdrawn it. Why did he withdraw the petition? Who made him withdraw it?” he asked, speaking to reporters in Thane.

He further said that in the manifesto of the newly formed Shinde-Fadnavis government last year, one of the promises was to make Maharashtra toll-free.

“The same was also announced in 2014 and 2017 [when Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP and undivided Sena coalition were in power]. But that promise has not been fulfilled as yet,” he said.

Mr. Thackeray further observed that as CM Shinde is from Thane, he could not afford to incur the people’s ire over the toll hike and hence, must focus seriously on this issue.

“I will meet CM Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in the next two-four days to discuss the issue,” he said.