Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray talking to reporters on Tuesday said that development should not be at the cost of citizens and environment and said his party opposed the Nanar refinery project in Maharashtra as 'sons of the soil' were against it. The Rs 3 lakh crore refinery at Nanar in Ratnagiri district was discarded earlier this year after the Sena put up a vehement resistance. Justifying his party's opposition to the project, Thackeray said that the suggested location would have adversely affected the environment.

"Wherever else it is suitable and does not affect the environment and locals welcome it, the Sena will never oppose it. The Sena is not against development, but not at the cost of citizens. We are against the Nanar project as 'sons of the soil' are opposed to it," he said.

The Yuva Sena chief was in Thane on Tuesday on the sidelines of his 'Jan Ashirward Yatra', a public outreach programme, ahead of the upcoming state polls.

READ | Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray takes up Aarey matter, calls out MMRCL

Speaking about the relevant issues

Thackeray has been quite vocal against the cutting of over 2,600 trees to make way for a Metro car shed in Aarey Colony of Mumbai. Many environmentalists and activists have also opposed the same and have demanded a change in location for the metro construction.

Aaditya Thackeray also addressed the questions asked about rumours that former state Chief Minister and Maharashtra Swabhiman Party leader Narayan Rane may join the ruling BJP.

"We don't discuss such small issues. We have a big dream of creating a new Maharashtra." I want to build a new Maharashtra, which is the dream of every citizen, and bring 'Mantralaya' (secretariat) at the doorsteps of citizens,".

He said the relevant issues for them are the recent abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and their party's demand for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He further spoke about the road conditions and said, "There is a dire need to have a relook into the tendering system where the contract is given to the lower bidder. This affects the quality of construction. This year there has been heavy rainfall and also due to the ongoing Metro work, roads have become bad."

Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray had once during an election rally in Thane prostrated before the audience and sought their blessings. Replicating his grandfather's action, the Yuva Sena chief also prostrated before the gathering during his rally here on Tuesday and sought their blessings for his party in the upcoming state polls.

He took to twitter and expressed his the love and affection for Thane and he wants to replicate the same.

READ: Thackeray brothers: New book explores the story of estranged cousins

Aaditya Thackeray on Aarey

The president of Yuva Sena has repeatedly opposed the deforestation of Aarey colony. Thackeray sought transfer of MMRCL's Managing Director Ashwini Bhide for not heeding the opposition to tree felling in Aarey Colony for Mumbai metro's car shed.

"It is my way or the highway attitude. If they can't build a Metro car shed at (some) another place, it is like threatening Mumbai. So why should such officers, or consultants, stay in their position?" Thackeray said. 

READ: Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray to cadre: 'Be ready to build Ram Mandir'

READ: Ayodhya: Majeed Memon calls Thackeray's comment a 'political gimmick'

(With Inputs from PTI)