Shiv Sena (UBT) slams Eknath Shinde for ‘stepmotherly' treatment of Nagpur
Nagpur: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has intensified its attacks on the rival Shiv Sena faction ahead of the upcoming local body polls in Maharashtra. In Nagpur, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party staged a protest, accusing deputy chief minister
, who also heads the urban development department, of systematically neglecting the city.
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The Janakrosh Morcha, led by city unit chief Nitin Tiwari, began from Samvidhan Chowk and culminated at the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) headquarters, despite resistance from police personnel.
The protest marked a dramatic escalation in UBT's criticism of Shinde, who, they allege, has adopted a "stepmotherly approach" towards Maharashtra's second capital. "Despite Nagpur being home to powerful BJP leaders like Nitin Gadkari, Devendra Fadnavis, and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the city continues to suffer because of Shinde's deliberate indifference," said Tiwari.
The sharpest criticism was directed at the recent fire at the Bhandewadi garbage dump, which exposed a critical shortage of fire personnel. Tiwari alleged that Shinde purposely stalled the recruitment file for over two years. "This inaction endangered lives. He must be held accountable," he added.
Tiwari also claimed that sanctioned funds amounting to ₹14,000 crore under MMRDA were withheld. "In the name of firefighting at Bhandewadi, only token actions were taken," he said, demanding an inquiry into the fire incident.
He also questioned why a fire audit had not been conducted and urged the government to take strict action against those responsible. Additionally, he called for the repair of damaged boundary walls leaking toxic leachate into nearby residential areas and compensation for waste pickers whose scrap materials were destroyed in the fire.
He further accused private contractors working under NMC departments of "financial exploitation" of workers, alleging that whistle-blowers were removed without any explanation.
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In response, additional municipal commissioner Ajay Charthankar assured that the concerns raised would be conveyed to the chief minister and prompt action would be taken on key issues.
The protest comes amid a flurry of political activity targeting the civic body, with the BJP, Congress, BSP, and now UBT all vying for influence ahead of the impending NMC elections.
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