Negating the attack from the ruling alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said it was true that he had suggested Barsu as an alternative location for an oil refinery after a preliminary survey. He said, however, that he felt that the opinion of the protesting locals should be considered instead of enforcing the project on them.  

Thackeray’s party has supported the agitation in Barsu and invited the ruling coalition’s wrath. It has slammed the government for using police force to get the project ahead. On Wednesday, CM Eknath Shinde and Industry Minister Uday Samant consulted NCP president Sharad Pawar, who told them to first engage the locals formally to find a way out amid protests. Thackeray is expected to visit Barsu in the coming days to make it a full-time socio-political issue.