Amidst growing tensions and allegations of corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), political parties are gearing up for protests and demonstrations in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to march to the BMC headquarters to protest against alleged corruption, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to hold demonstrations in different parts of the city.
The UBT march, led by party leader Aaditya Thackeray, will begin at 4 pm, coinciding with the BJP’s demonstrations. The UBT’s protest is in response to the Shinde government’s announcement of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe following irregularities found in BMC contracts during the pandemic. The civic body was under the control of the Sena (UBT) during this period.
The protest march also marks the one-year anniversary of the Shinde government. Interestingly, the departure of Aaditya Thackeray’s close aide Rahul Kanal to join CM Eknath Shinde’s camp highlights the ongoing exodus of party workers from the Sena (UBT).
In a teaser released on Twitter, the UBT has promised to hold the Shinde government accountable for corruption and loot in the BMC. The civic body has been under the administration of civic commissioner I S Chahal since March 2022, as civic polls have been delayed.
Recent events have added to the troubles faced by the Sena (UBT). The protest comes in the wake of raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate against Aaditya Thackeray’s aide Suraj Chavan in an alleged Covid center scam. Additionally, an allegedly illegal branch of the party adjacent to Uddhav Thackeray’s bungalow was demolished by the BMC. Anil Parab, a party leader and former minister, has also been booked for assaulting a BMC official in the H East ward after the demolition.
BJP city unit president Ashish Shelar described the UBT’s protest as a diversionary tactic for their wrongdoings in the BMC being exposed. Shelar emphasized that the BJP will continue questioning the Sena (UBT) on behalf of the citizens of Mumbai. The BJP’s demonstrations will take place at Nariman Point and Dadar, and their allies, the Shiv Sena and the Republican Party of India (A), will also participate.
Shelar stated that the BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Andolan is a movement demanding accountability for every rupee taken from the people of Mumbai. He further added that Mumbaikars are not concerned about Aaditya Thackeray’s protest; instead, they desire better-quality roads.
As the protests and demonstrations unfold, it is clear that the fight against corruption and allegations of mismanagement in the BMC has become a matter of great importance. Citizens of Mumbai are closely watching the developments and hoping for a resolution that brings about positive change in their city.
