Responds to Indian Express report: Sena (UBT) leader launches sharp attack on BJP

On the allegation that the BJP wants to ‘break up Mumbai’, Aaditya drew a parallel with Chandigarh and alleged the BJP had a similar plan for Mumbai. (File)

Responding to The Indian Express report that 99 per cent of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) funds were diverted to constituencies of ruling alliance MLAs, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday alleged that despite cornering the lion share of funds, there was little evidence of work on the ground.

Speaking at the Loksatta Loksamvad programme, Aaditya said even this skewed allocation had failed to satisfy the city’s residents because the money had not translated into civic improvement. “If you go deeper, the funds did not even reach the MLAs. They went to a few private individuals linked to the BJP and the Shinde group. Under which rule is public money handed over to private persons,” he asked responding to a question.

He added that the poor quality of concretisation and road beautification projects across Mumbai was visible to residents.

Aaditya further said that cities where the BJP controlled the Centre, state and civic bodies had seen deterioration in basic infrastructure. “Indore gets awards for cleanliness, yet 18 people died there due to contaminated water. Delhi and Gandhinagar, both capitals, are struggling with infrastructure,” he said.

In Mumbai, he alleged, the situation had worsened over the last four years under an administrator-led civic body, which effectively functioned under the Mahayuti government. “From garbage to roads, the city has gone downhill. The BJP is excellent as an Opposition party, but it cannot run governments,” Aaditya said.

Handing the BMC to the BJP, he said, would mean that “all levers of the city would go into the hands of corporate interests like Adani”.

“Mumbai belongs to Marathi people. It is the economic capital of Maharashtra, but that identity is being systematically weakened. Even BEST is being dismantled. If public transport collapses, how will people go to work,” he asked, accusing the BJP of trying to “finish off” the city.

Responding to allegations against his party’s long tenure in the BMC, Aaditya pointed out that the BJP had been a partner in the civic body for 25 years. “They were part of the standing committee, education committee, tree authority and even held the deputy mayor’s post. Either the works happened or they didn’t. If they didn’t, don’t take credit for our work,” he said.