By | Rahul Varde | Political News
Ratnagiri: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest against the parking of passenger vehicles contract at Chiplun railway station in Ratnagiri district. The party’s district president, Santosh Nalawade, alleged that the contract was awarded to an outside contractor, sidelining local contractors and unemployed youth.
Nalawade claimed that a single outside contractor had bagged the contract for all railway stations from Madgao to Mangaon, deliberately excluding local youth and Marathi contractors. The MNS accused the Konkan Railway administration of consistently ignoring local interests and demanded action against railway officials and police.
During the protest, MNS workers expressed concern over employment opportunities being given to outsiders youths, pointing out that many non-local youth were working in railway canteens. The party warned that it would not tolerate the Konkan Railway administration’s policy of favoring outside contractors and unemployment youth and neglecting local contractors and youth.
The incident sparked panic among passengers and railway staff. Political analysts believe that the MNS’s stance on the Marathi issue in Ratnagiri district could revive the party’s prospects. The party had previously made significant gains in the district under General Secretary Vaibhav Khedekar’s leadership, including a notable win in the Khed Municipal Corporation election. The MNS’s organizational structure in Ratnagiri district has been strengthened over time. By raising issues of local bhumiputra and Marathi self-respect, the party aims to consolidate its position and expand its base. Recent protests have sparked debates in public and political circles.
