Aaditya Thackeray, a prominent member of the Shiv Sena party and son of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, has raised serious concerns regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliated Mindhe faction’s approach to Mumbai’s security and civic amenities. Thackeray accuses them of lacking a concrete program and creating avenues for scams and financial irregularities through indiscriminate allocation of road works worth Rs 6,000 crore.
Thackeray alleges that despite the substantial investment, the state of Mumbai’s roads remains deplorable, filled with potholes, while drains are said to have been thoroughly cleaned. This prompts the question: where did the funds allocated for these improvements actually go? He asserts that the financial transactions executed under Mindhe’s administrative rule within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) were nothing short of scams. Thackeray demands answers and promises to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Highlighting a flurry of tendering activities across various departments, including roads, furniture, and health, Thackeray claims that these processes have become breeding grounds for corruption. He calls for the criminal prosecution of those involved in these alleged scams. Additionally, he expresses frustration at the current situation, using a metaphor of “digging the ground like snakes,” emphasizing the urgent need for resolution and stating that Mumbaikars will not tolerate such mismanagement.
Thackeray also expresses concerns over the increasing concretization of roads in Mumbai, warning of the potential threats it poses to the city. He argues that excessive concrete coverage puts immense pressure on the drainage system, thus exacerbating the risk of flooding. Drawing a comparison to “Joshimath,” a location prone to disasters, he urges a halt to the arbitrary governance that may lead Mumbai down a similar path if left unchecked. Thackeray emphasizes that swift action is crucial.
Furthermore, Thackeray criticizes the absence of elected representatives in the BMC, pointing out that while roads and drains were cleaned, Mumbai suffered severe flooding during the first rain. He claims that the state is now in the hands of “The Midwives” and questions whom to blame for this collapse. He quotes the Chief Minister, who allegedly stated, “Welcome the rain. Ignore Mumbai’s flooding,” further adding to the frustration and dissatisfaction with the current situation.
These allegations and criticisms have sparked widespread concern among citizens and the political sphere, calling for a thorough investigation into the claims made by Aaditya Thackeray. The BMC faces mounting pressure to address the issues raised and restore faith in its governance.
