In a candid revelation, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election in-charge for Mumbai, Ashish Shelar, stated that the party's longstanding alliance with the Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was maintained solely for the cause of Hindutva. This statement comes amidst fierce campaigning and serious allegations of corruption leveled by the BJP against its former ally.
Past Alliance for Hindutva, Future Focus on Accountability
Speaking exclusively, Shelar addressed the apparent contradiction of being in an alliance while accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) of corruption worth a staggering Rs 3 lakh crore during its 25-year reign in the BMC. He clarified the BJP's position, emphasizing that their corporators did not hold significant posts in the civic body's statutory committees and often opposed decisions against public interest.
When questioned why the BJP did not exit the alliance earlier if corruption was a concern, Shelar's response was unequivocal: "It was only for Hindutva." He also confirmed the party's commitment to abide by the court's orders regarding the election of 69 unopposed corporators, stating, "If the court directs that elections be held, we will abide by it."
Accusations, Security, and a Development Blueprint
Shelar dismissed the Marathi versus non-Marathi debate as a creation of those anticipating defeat. He contrasted his party's stance by highlighting, "We declared that the mayor of Mumbai will be a Hindu-Marathi, whereas they did not even mention Hindutva in their manifesto."
Defending the BJP's campaign focus on Mumbai's security, Shelar termed it a major issue, alleging a conspiracy to alter the city's demography. "Action on Bangladeshis and Rohingyas is not wrong," he asserted. Shifting to development, he criticized the progress of the past 25 years and outlined the BJP's vision for a transformed Mumbai.
A Five-Year Plan for Mumbai's Civic Revival
Shelar promised corruption-free governance for the next five years if the BJP assumes power in the BMC. The party's immediate actionable plans include:
- Establishing a Water Management Authority based on a NITI Aayog study to tackle leakages, improve rainwater harvesting, enhance groundwater levels, and explore desalination plants.
- Reorganizing the Tree Authority to ensure a holistic environmental approach beyond merely approving tree cuttings.
- A comprehensive focus on Mumbai's infrastructure, including roads, footpaths, and overall security, executed in a planned manner.
Shelar concluded by reiterating that the BJP's core agenda has always been development, and their entire focus is now on delivering a better, more secure, and efficiently managed Mumbai for all its residents.
