Shiv Sena (UBT)'s condition in Mumbai is dangerous and dilapidated, says BJP MLA Ashish Shelar; welcomes former corporators who join party ahead of BMC polls
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT)'s condition in the city has become dangerous and dilapidated, said BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar as he welcomed two more former corporators, Ishwar Tayade and Akanksha Shete, into the party on Sunday.
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BJP has been inducting former elected representatives from opposition parties as it prepares for the local body elections across the state. The BMC elections are also expected in the next four months.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters, Shelar said in 2017, Shiv Sena (then undivided) had 84 corporators in the BMC and BJP 82. "When former corporators from Andheri East and Malabar Hill joined BJP, we equalled their numbers, and now we have surpassed the Sena (UBT) numbers.
Really speaking, we have crossed 100 as several other ex-corporators of previous tenures have also joined BJP," he added.
"The Sena (UBT)'s condition has become dangerous because of its anti-Hindu festivals, anti-Hindutva, anti-Mumbaikar, anti-Balasaheb ideology. The party took a stand against all of these issues. It has become dilapidated because no one wants to stay on this ship. Everyone is moving away of their own accord," Shelar said, adding that to stop his party's deterioration, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is raising the bogey of attempts being made to destroy him and his party.
Shelar, who is Bandra (W) MLA, and Mumbai Suburban guardian minister, said BJP did not come into politics to destroy anyone. "Our aim is Mumbai, Mumbaikar, and its development, and there is no compromise on this. Just the other day, Union home minister Amit Shah said for Mumbai and its development, we started projects worth Rs 7 lakh crore. We challenge the Maha Vikas Aghadi to tell what they have done or come for a discussion," he said, adding Act I of the play is done with Tayade and Shetye joining the BJP.
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Act II will be enacted soon, and Act III will be the finale, he added.
Asked about competition within Mahayuti to serve Mumbaikars, Shelar said, "Competition to serve is good for the city; we are together." He criticised the visit of forest officials to actor Shah Rukh Khan's residence, Mannat, which is undergoing renovations. "Why must forest officials visit the place? If there is a violation, then action must be taken, but no citizen must be unnecessarily harassed," he said.
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