Political blame-game kicks off over Mithi desilting
While Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), controlled by the ruling Mahayuti government for the last three years, for failing to take measures to control the annual flooding of the city, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis put the blame on the alleged irregularities in Mithi's desilting.
During the recent monsoon session of the state legislature, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators had targeted Aaditya Thackeray over the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) inquiry into actor Dino Morea's role in the alleged ₹65.54 scam related to desilting tenders. Morea is Thackeray's friend.
After a review meeting with bureaucrats on Tuesday, Fadnavis called attention to the (earlier undivided) Shiv Sena rule 'when desilting of Mithi was ignored'. 'One of the reasons for waterlogging in Mumbai is related to Mithi river and what happened in the past regarding the work of its desilting,' said the CM.
Thackeray called attention to the flood-like situation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on X. 'Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivili and Vasai-Virar are victims of an absolute collapse of governance. While the rains are battering the cities, the meteorological dept has sent out red alerts to the government. Instead of photo ops, the ministers should have ensured that respective municipal corporations are ready to tackle the heavy rains,' he said.
He also underscored the lacunae in the system – pumps should have been placed at critical spots in advance, after ascertaining their capacity and efficiency, he said. He also demanded that the state government financially compensate 'all the citizens whose homes were flooded'.
'Now release a report on new flood spots and why they were created. Additionally, mark the new spots where infra works are on and penalise the contractors,' said Thackeray.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
BEST Election 2025 Result: Litmus Test Turns Setback As Thackeray Brothers Face Major Defeat
Contrary to predictions of close contest, Shashank Rao's panel secured a decisive victory, winning 14 seats, while ruling Mahayuti-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel managed only seven The results of the BEST Employees' Co-operative Credit Society Election 2025 have sent shockwaves across Mumbai's political circles. What was widely seen as a litmus test for the Thackeray brothers — Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray — ended in an unexpected defeat, reshaping the balance of power in the influential society. The elections were held on August 18, and after intense counting that stretched past midnight on Tuesday, the final results were declared. Contrary to predictions of a close contest, Shashank Rao's panel secured a decisive victory, winning 14 seats, while the ruling Mahayuti-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel managed only seven. The Thackeray brothers' joint panel, Utkarsh, failed to win even a single seat, marking a dramatic setback. For the past nine years, the Thackeray-led panel had maintained an unbroken dominance over the society. This year, however, the results proved otherwise. For many, this election was about more than just controlling the society — it was seen as a rehearsal for the upcoming BMC elections, where the Thackeray brothers are yet to finalise whether they will extend their alliance. Their coming together for this poll was closely watched, as it was the first significant political collaboration between the two factions after years of rivalry. Political observers note that the Rao panel's victory was built on years of grassroots connect with BEST workers, regular engagement with trade unions, and timely interventions in resolving employees' grievances and legacy of his late father and labour union leader Sharad Rao. This strong organisational base appealed to over 15,000 voters, who chose to back Rao's panel instead of aligning with either the Thackrays or the Mahayuti. Suhas Samant, President, BEST Kamgar Sena (UBT), accused the BJP of using money and influence in BEST election. 'The results of the BEST Co-operative Credit Society elections are out. We have lost, but I congratulate those who have won. Now you may ask, how did this happen when twelve thousand employees were with me? Over the past week, there was a huge flow of money. We thought employees might accept the money but still vote for us. But against money power, we fell short. I have worked hard to save BEST, but the BJP used both money and their influence. We fell behind in terms of outreach and financial power. What surprises me is that a party like the BJP puts such a massive machinery even into a co-operative credit society election. They do whatever it takes to get what they want — for that, one must acknowledge both their effort and the fear it creates," Samant said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders were quick to react to this election result. Navnath Ban, BJP Spokesperson while speaking this reporter said, 'In the BEST Credit Society elections, UBT and its allies have suffered a humiliating defeat. Not a single candidate of UBT managed to win. For many, this result is nothing short of a referendum delivered by Mumbaikars ahead of the BMC elections. Importantly, these polls were conducted on ballot papers, not EVMs. Which means Sanjay Raut has no scope to cry foul with his usual excuses of 'EVM manipulation, rigging, or conspiracy. So, the big question is — Sanjay Raut, who lectures the media daily about the sanctity of democracy, will you respect this democratic verdict of Mumbai, or will you stay silent with your finger on your lips? Answer the people!" We did try to speak with Thackeray brother's panel but didn't not get any response. Meanwhile, within the Sahakar Samruddhi camp, the results brought mixed fortunes. Of the seven winning candidates, four belonged to the BJP's Prasad Lad group, two to Shinde Sena's Kiran Pawaskar group, and one represented the OBC Welfare Union. The Thackeray brothers' failure to secure even a single seat is now being widely interpreted as a major political embarrassment. Their attempt to demonstrate unity and test public sentiment before the municipal polls has backfired. With the BMC elections around the corner, this outcome raises serious questions about the future of their alliance and their ability to pose a formidable challenge to the ruling coalition in Mumbai. Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 10:27 IST News politics BEST Election 2025 Result: Litmus Test Turns Setback As Thackeray Brothers Face Major Defeat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
In blow to Thackeray brothers, alliance fails to win single seat in BEST credit society polls
The first joint electoral contest by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the BEST Employees' Co-operative Credit Society elections ended in a humiliating defeat on Wednesday, as the parties' joint panel failed to win a single position in the polls. Contesting under the 'Utkarsh' panel for 19 of the 21 seats, the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance failed to win a single post, effectively ending the Shiv Sena's nine-year-old hold on the cooperative. The credit society has 15,000 Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees as its members. Of these, 10,000 voted on Monday. With the BEST being dominated by Marathi-speaking staffers, the Thackeray cousins' defeat is being seen as a major blow, especially ahead the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls and in the backdrop of recently held 'Marathi pride' rally and issues raised by the two brothers over Marathi. While transport union leader Shashank Rao's panel swept 14 seats, the Sahakar Samruddhi panel, backed by the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claimed the remaining seven seats (4 BJP, 2 Shinde Sena, and 1 SC/ST Union). The election had drawn political attention as it was the first joint electoral contest by the Thackeray cousins ahead of the upcoming municipal and local body polls in Maharashtra. Despite acknowledging the MNS's limited presence in BEST, the alliance had sought a trial run for broader electoral coordination. Polling on August 18 was largely smooth, though allegations of cash distribution surfaced. Counting was delayed by heavy rainfall, with results finally declared early Wednesday morning at 3 am. Political observers see the outcome as a setback for the Thackerays' attempts to build a coordinated Opposition front in the state, highlighting the limits of the alliance in the city's civic and political sphere.
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Priyanka Chaturvedi slams BCCI over participation in Asia Cup Cricket
New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for announcing the Indian squad for the Asia Cup Cricket 2025, which includes a clash against Pakistan, despite the neighbouring country withdrawing from the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup hosted in to her official X handle, Chaturvedi expressed her disapproval, saying,'While Pakistan Hockey team snubbed the Asia Cup Hockey matches hosted in India, our BCCI is super keen to keep the cricket match between the two going by announcing the India Team for Asia Cricket Cup. Can't imagine the betrayal the families of those who lost their loved ones in Pahalgam must feel." While Pakistan pulled out of the Hockey Asia Cup citing security concerns, the BCCI proceeded with finalising India's squad for the cricket tournament, which could see the arch-rivals face each other.'Why isn't Pakistan coming? Why are they not participating? This is not clear to us," Hockey India Secretary General and Asian Hockey Federation Vice President Bhola Nath Singh said.'If they are citing security concerns, I can confidently say that security and all the arrangements in India are much better than in Pakistan," he however, stressed that India's focus remains on successfully hosting the tournament and extending a warm welcome to all participating teams.'Who is coming and who is not coming, we don't care about that. Whoever has qualified, whoever is coming, we welcome everyone to India," he noted. (ANI)
