Thane: BJP and Shinde-Sena clash over dumping ground in Diva

Shinde-Sena and BJP are locked in a blame game over the Diva dumping ground. Pic/Satej Shinde

There seems to be trouble brewing in the Shinde-Fadnavis paradise. While CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis seem to be running the state together, the situation appears different in Thane. On Shinde's home ground, Thane, the BJP has started raising issues that could spell trouble for the CM. The Shinde-Sena has retaliated with a member saying issues are being taken care of and BJP should note this before blaming its ally.

Diva City President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rohidas Munde has raised the issue of the dumping ground and other civic issues. "The Shiva Sena makes announcements every time before elections that the Diva dumping ground will be closed. But it has not yet been closed," said Munde. Due to the dumping ground, residents have to bear the foul stench and face health issues. It receives 2,000-3,000 tonnes of garbage every day.

"It is not just the dumping ground issue. There are a lot of other civic issues like the water supply and bad roads in Diva. We are raising our voice for the residents. We are committed to people. There are around 5 lakh residents in Diva from whom around Rs 80 crore tax is recovered per year. But we don't get basic facilities such as roads, water supply," Munde added.

Residents have to bear the foul stench from and face health issues due to the dumping ground at Diva. Pic/Satej Shinde

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) City head Ramakant Madhavi gave a political reply to Munde. "BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena are in power together. But I think the BJP Diva city leader and karyakartas dont obey their leaders. Before blaming the alliance party they should at least study what's going on. Thane Municipal Corporation is in the process of shifting the dumping ground from Diva. The proposed processing center is at Bhandari out of Thane city limits," Madhavi said further.

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"If we talk about water supply, the work for it is in the last stage. After some months there won't be any issue with water supply. These development works were stuck due to the pandemic," Madhavi stated. This is not the first clash between Shinde Sena and BJP. Recently, a BJP functionary, Prashant Jadhav, was attacked over installing a hoarding. The BJP has alleged that the Shinde Senaworkers attacked Jadhav. Thane BJP Chief Niranjan Dawkhare said, "We had to meet CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis over this issue of Jadhav. The CM assured us that the police will take proper action. Also, we will keep raising issues related to the city. It's our duty."