Political Confrontation Erupts at Mumbai School Event
A heated political confrontation unfolded in Mumbai on Friday as BJP and Congress leaders engaged in a bitter war of words over claiming credit for the redevelopment of a BMC school in Andheri West. The situation escalated to the point where police intervention became necessary to control the tense atmosphere.
The Incident That Sparked the Clash
The controversy erupted during a gathering at the newly redeveloped school when BJP minister Ashish Shelar publicly praised party MLA Ameet Satam for his efforts in the school's transformation. This prompted immediate objection from Congress former corporator Meher Haider, who asserted that the project had actually begun back in 2017 using her corporator funds.
The confrontation grew so intense that police had to step in, escorting Haider and her supporters away from the venue to prevent further escalation. MLA Ameet Satam later criticized the Congress members, stating, "This was a school event where children were present, and they created a ruckus. It shows their criminal intent."
Background of the School Redevelopment Project
The BMC school underwent a massive transformation with the demolition of the old structure and construction of a new facility at a cost of Rs 25 crore. While work initially commenced in 2017, the project faced significant delays during the Covid-induced lockdown, pushing back the completion timeline.
Meher Haider's term as corporator ended in March 2022, and since then, no civic elections have been conducted due to legal complications. Currently, the BMC is being managed by a state-appointed administrator - the BMC commissioner.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Meher's husband, former corporator Mohsin Haider, claimed that the entire project funding and government sanctions were secured before 2022 through their persistent efforts and negotiations with the then BMC chief. He emphatically stated that Satam had no role in the project whatsoever.
Broader Political Implications
Meanwhile, the political drama extended beyond the school premises as a Congress delegation led by MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLA Amin Patel met with state election commissioner Dinesh Waghmare. The party representatives demanded a comprehensive clean-up of voter lists ahead of the impending BMC elections.
The Congress party expressed serious concerns about duplicate entries in voter lists and voters being arbitrarily shifted from one ward to another. They urgently requested immediate rectification of these discrepancies to ensure fair and transparent civic elections.
This incident highlights the intense political competition brewing in Mumbai as parties position themselves for the upcoming BMC elections, with infrastructure development projects becoming focal points for claiming political credit and influence.
