Oppn MVA slams Maharashtra govt over Mumbai rain chaos, BJP blames undivided Shiv Sena's 25-year reign at BMC

Mumbai: As Mumbai was left crippled after the first bout of rains, the opposition Maha Vilas Aghadi slammed the Devendra Fadnavis-headed MahaYuti-NDA dispensation for the current mess and lack of preparedness. 

The BJP, however, hit back saying that it was because of the corruption of 25 years of rule of the undivided Shiv Sena at the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Leading the opposition charge, Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray’s son and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray said that the State government should initiate a fair probe into this incompetence. 

He also hit out at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is the guardian minister of Mumbai City district. 

“We are seeing an absolute absence of governance in Maharashtra today.  Mumbai has collapsed in the rains, and it’s only May. Last week, the Andheri Subway and Saki Naka were flooded. Today, it is South and Central Mumbai facing the brunt of the BMC being controlled by BJP and corrupt Shinde,” he said.

“Hind Mata and Gandhi Market (traditional flood spots) were made flood free by the MVA government in 2022.  Today, due to the apathy of the government, it flooded. The Metro Station in Worli, inaugurated two weeks ago, saw a wall collapse, water logging and sewage line water enter the station. A newly made road has caved in near Kemps Corner. Water logging was reported at KEM Hospital, Nepean Sea Road, BMC ward offices and even near Mantralaya. Why does the BJP hate Mumbai so much? Why does the BJP want to finish Mumbai?,” the former minister asked. 

State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who is the guardian minister of Mumbai Suburban district, said:  “For 25 yrs, UBT Sena and BMC contractors looted Mumbai…Rs 3 lakh crores spent by BMC on Mumbai roads - looted by UBT Sena and contractors…the Brimstowad project was not completed…Rs 1,000 crore was spent by BMC on bogus Mithi River cleaning.”

Mumbai North Central MP and Mumbai Congress President Prof Varsha Gaikwad slammed the government for the lack of preparedness. “The newly thrown open Mumbai Metro 3! The much hyped underground Metro. The underground station platform is flooded, water can be seen leaking from the roof, water is flowing through the stairs. The Acharya Atre station has been closed, traffic suspended!  Does the MahaYuti even care how dangerous a submerged underground metro is? Why were these checks and balances not done? Why wasn't enough precaution taken? How can people trust underground metro travel on heavy rain days? The government must answer, it must fix responsibility,” the former minister said.

NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said: “According to NITI Aayog CEO, India is now the world's 4th largest economy. But look at the poor state of Mumbai, a city we proudly call India's financial capital. The BJP led Maharashtra government, which has been running the BMC for the past 3-plus years, should be ashamed and apologize to Mumbaikars.”