After the Maharashtra Government issued a resolution giving priority to locals in 80 per cent jobs, the Shiv Sena has rushed to take credit and claimed it was the “victory of its policies”. The saffron party also ridiculed the state Government for repeating the decades old rule, which it said, pointed to the state’s failure in implementing it.

“There is a question over whether the lollypop that is being shown to the locals again regarding prominence in 80 per cent posts in recruitment to private factories will truly benefit the Maharashtrians or not. Because there is a generalised sarkari definition of sons-of-soil as one who has resided in Maharashtra for 15 years. It is but natural that it will also include people who speak other languages,” said the editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna on Wednesday.

It said the decision was taken with an eye on the coming elections, and added it was necessary for the government to be honest in the implementation of the rule at least now. “The state Government may insist that it is its old policy, but the realisation that has dawned late on the state government is a victory of the Shiv Sena’s policies,” said the editorial. “The Congress- NCP realised this today, but what else have we (Sena) have been saying for the last 40 years?”