The Deputy Chief Minister slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav, allegedly for siding with contractors, and also criticized Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj for raking up the issue of Mumbai’s separation from Maharashtra—calling it an act of opportunism in the run-up to the polls
Eknath Shinde. Pic/X
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde launched a veiled attack on rivals—Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray—and claimed that for the next 25 years, Mumbai citizens will witness a pothole-free city.
The Deputy Chief Minister slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav, allegedly for siding with contractors, and also criticized Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj for raking up the issue of Mumbai’s separation from Maharashtra—calling it an act of opportunism in the run-up to the polls.
Shinde said, “For us (Mahayuti government), ‘Mumbai first’ is the policy, but for some (Shiv Sena UBT), it was always a ‘contractor first’ policy.” The Deputy Chief Minister was replying on Thursday to queries raised by members of the Legislative Assembly through a debate held under Rule 293 of the Maharashtra Legislature, which allows deliberation on matters of public concern.
Elaborating on his response, Shinde mentioned that in the erstwhile government (when he was Chief Minister), he and Fadnavis had called in then Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner (BMC) Iqbal Singh Chahal. “We (Shinde and Fadnavis) asked the BMC Commissioner about the poor road quality. The BMC chief then mentioned that every year, 50 kilometers of roads are converted to concrete roads. We asked if there was any rule that limited the length of road that could be concretized, to which the BMC Commissioner replied in the negative,” Shinde noted.
The earlier government decided to complete concretization of all roads in two phases by December 2027. “Because of this decision taken by our government, for the next 25 years Mumbai will see pothole-free roads,” Shinde assured the Assembly members.
Further taking a veiled dig at MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Shinde stated that every time elections approach, the issue of Mumbai’s separation from Maharashtra is raised. “Amhi Mumbai Jodnyache Kaam Karto (We are working to unite Mumbai), take the example of Atal Setu, Coastal Road, Metro,” Shinde said, adding that it is all about “Swarthacha Zenda and Satecha Agenda” (flag of self-interest and agenda of power).
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
