Several political leaders including Aaditya Thackeray, Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad and others joined the protest on Saturday. Pics/Shiv Sena and Aaditya Thackeray/X
Addressing a well-attended protest against the Dharavi redevelopment project being helmed by the Adani group, Thackeray also refuted allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party that the tender for it was issued during his chief ministership
Uddhav Thackeray said his government fell due to treachery because he was not pro-builder. "Now one can understand who financed the toppling of my government. With the Shiv Sena around, the BJP could not help its friends, so my party was broken and its symbol was stolen," Thackeray claimed without taking names
Dharavi fought the Covid pandemic and will not surrender before any builder, Thackeray said. He alleged the redevelopment project involves TDR irregularities worth more than Rs 100 crore, which is the "biggest scam in the world"
"If we did not differentiate between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries while fighting Covid in Dharavi, how can this condition be applied when it comes to redevelopment," he asked
Dharavi is among the densest urban sprawls in the world and received praise for the way the people and civic authorities of the area tackled Covid-19 and brought the pandemic in control. Addressing the gathering, he said, "You stole my party symbol but how can you take away the trust and support I enjoy among people"
Thackeray said people of Dharavi should get 500 square feet homes and also be given facilities to carry on business at the existing spots
Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who is also Dharavi MLA, attended the protest march that took place between Kalangar and Bandra Kurla Complex, where the Adani group has an office
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