MUMBAI: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mumbai unit chief, Ashish Shelar, alleged a match-fixing between the Shiv Sena and the Congress for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, the Sena on Monday challenged the BJP to prove the accusation.
“We challenge Mr. Shelar to prove his claims or else stop diverting attention of people. We want him to name the 42 wards, in which he alleged our match-fixing with the Congress,” said Sena leader and MLC Anil Parab.
The BJP retorted, asking Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to accept an open debate challenge. BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the reply from the Sena is in tune with the Congress’s. “Replies over match fixing from both the parties are miraculously identical. How is it possible? Isn’t something fishy?” Mr. Shelar while addressing a rally had alleged that the Sena and the Congress have a match-fixing in 42 wards.
But this is not the only issue. The overflowing Deonar dumping ground and the issue of its closure are leading to allegations and counter allegations.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had alleged that the Sena leadership has financial interests in the dumping ground.
Mr. Parab replied to the BJP saying it is a habit of Mr. Somaiya to make baseless allegations against the opposition. “The BJP wants Deonar plot to be sold to real estate companies. We want the dumping ground to be shut down scientifically. If the BJP wants to close it, the State government should provide land at Airoli and Taloja for the disposal of garbage.” Mr. Parab claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the portfolio of Home Ministry, has given orders to all police stations to support BJP candidates.
Book in circulation
A book titled Ghotalebaaj BJP (scam-ridden BJP) is being circulated in several parts of the city, highlighting alleged scams of 10 BJP leaders. The book has no mention of the publisher or the political party, but has a collection of all news reports highlighting the alleged scams of the BJP leaders. The book even has a special chapter of BJP national president Amit Shah and controversies surrounding him, including the recently-reported ‘snoopgate’ scandal.
When asked, Mr. Bhandari called the book a ‘mischievous act’ by leftists.
