Campaigning for the upcoming Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) elections intensified as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delivered a powerful address at a major public rally in the city on Wednesday. The CM's speech focused on three critical fronts: a stern warning on criminal elements, highlighting decades of stalled development, and unveiling a series of civic and infrastructure promises aimed at transforming the city.
Firm Stand on Law and Order: A Warning Against Gundaraj
Adopting a firm tone, Chief Minister Fadnavis issued a clear warning against any resurgence of criminal dominance, or 'gundaraj', in Ulhasnagar. While not naming any individual or party directly, his comments were seen as a pointed dig at Shiv Sena's local ally, Team Omie Kalani, which has been associated with a controversial past.
"No one should even think of bringing back gundaraj to Ulhasnagar. We will not allow it. Only the rule of law will prevail here," Fadnavis asserted. He emphasized that his administration knows how to deal strictly with anyone attempting to disturb public order and peace in the city.
Addressing Decades of Stalled Development and New Visions
The Chief Minister did not mince words while criticizing the city's lack of progress despite its rich social and cultural fabric. He noted that Ulhasnagar attained Municipal Corporation status in 1996, yet has failed to grow at par with other urban centers in the state over the last three decades.
"Ulhasnagar became a Municipal Corporation in 1996, but in the last 30 years, it has not progressed like other cities. We all know the reasons—the governments and municipal administrations of that time," Fadnavis stated. Positioning the BJP as an agent of change, he appealed to voters, "Our government stands for transformation. Give us one chance, and we will transform Ulhasnagar."
He outlined a vision of integrating the city into the larger development narrative of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), pointing out that projects worth a massive ₹4.5 lakh crore have been executed across the MMR through the MMRDA. He assured that Ulhasnagar would now be brought into the mainstream of this expansive development wave.
Key Promises: Metro Connectivity, Legalising Homes, and New Development Plan
Fadnavis made several significant announcements aimed at addressing long-pending civic issues:
Metro Connectivity: He confirmed that the proposed metro corridor from Kalyan to Ambernath would pass through Ulhasnagar, finally granting the city its long-awaited metro rail connectivity.
Policy for Unauthorised Buildings: Addressing a major and sensitive local issue, the CM spoke about the plethora of old, unauthorized structures in the city. He acknowledged that past attempts to regularize them had failed. "We will bring a new policy to legalise old unauthorised constructions so that people can finally get ownership rights to their homes, while ensuring that no new illegal constructions come up," he promised.
New Development Plan (DP): To upgrade the city's poor road infrastructure, Fadnavis assured residents that a new Development Plan would be prepared. "Our goal is to build an advanced Ulhasnagar," he concluded, encapsulating his rally's ambitious agenda.
With its strong assurances on law and order coupled with concrete promises on metro connectivity, housing regularization, and infrastructure overhaul, Fadnavis's rally has injected fresh momentum into the UMC election campaign. It sets the stage for a closely watched and potentially transformative political contest in the city.
