Will back FDI in retail if locals get jobs: Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: MNS chief Raj Thackeray has backed the UPA government's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail but wants outsiders not to be given jobs in these outlets in Maharashtra.

"I will write to FDI retailers asking them to employ Marathi youth. People from outside shouldn't be employed there," Thackeray told reporters on Tuesday, asserting "Maharashtra will not tolerate migrants getting jobs in retail shops."

"FDI in retail should come in the country and I took the decision (to support it) after deliberation. I fully support FDI," he said, adding the move will benefit farmers.

The MNS chief said that he will write to FDI retailers asking them to employ Marathi youth.

Targeting parties and state governments opposing FDI in retail on the ground that it would lead to "loot" by foreign investors, Thackeray said,"Even now the loot is going on."

Thackeray, whose party has announced that it would not participate in the September 20 bandh against FDI in retail and diesel price hike, said, a strike should instead be called against corruption. He defended the decision to hike the price of diesel.

Criticising the government over "gross corruption" in the country, the MNS chief said, "the country is making progress on corruption front" and sought scamsters to be put behind bars.

Taking a dig at Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for his statement that coal block allocation scam will be forgotten, he said, "Till leaders like Shinde are there people s mind won t be diverted to other issues. He (Shinde) reminded people about the Bofors scam, which was forgotten."

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