MUMBAI: If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calls the Shiv Sena ‘mafia’ of Mumbai, the Sena calls the BJP a ‘blackmailer’.
Raking up the issue of closure of dumping grounds at Mulund and Deonar, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Thursday said despite repeated orders to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the Centre, and and the State government for the last 43 months, the civic body has not shut down these dumping grounds for the sake of ‘mafia’.
“It is pathetic that the Bombay High Court had to impose a stay on new permissions for constructions in the city until dumping grounds are closed. The Sena has forced the city to crawl for the sake of mafia,” said Mr. Somaiya.
Sena MP Rahul Shewale was quick to slam the BJP leader, calling him a ‘blackmailer’ and an agent of builders. “The State government has not transferred the plots designated for dumping grounds in Taloja and Airoli. How is it possible to close down the present dumping grounds if the civic body does not get these plots?”
The Sena leader said if the State fails to transfer these plots until February 21, the citizens of Mumbai will start dumping the garbage in front of the houses of Mr. Somaiya and BJP’s Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar.
