Shiv Sena, BJP to lock horns over nightlife proposal

Mumbai: Shiv Sena and BJP – the two warring parties in BMC – are likely to lock horns once again over two key proposals, rooftop restaurants and night markets, in the civic house in coming days.

While Sena is rooting for rooftop restaurants, BJP is demanding night markets to boost tourism in Mumbai. However, both parties are trying to play spoilsport for each other on these proposals.

With Yuva Sena chief, Aditya Thackeray, supporting the concept of rooftop restaurants in the city, the rooftop policy has become a matter of prestige for the Sena, which is determined on passing the proposal in the civic house.

It has received a boost in the form of development control regulations (DCR) saying that rooftop eateries will be allowed on terraces of fully commercial buildings, including residential hotels.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA and corporator Ameet Satam demanded that there should be night markets in the city. However, the proposal has hit a roadblock in Sena, which is opposing it stubbornly.

Interestingly, the civic administration has shown willingness to start night markets under its proposed hawkers’ policy.

Both proposals will be tabled in the civic general body meeting in coming days.

Considering that Sena and BJP have strongly opposed each other’s proposals in the past, there is likely to be a stalemate in the BMC house. For passing the rooftop policy, Sena will have to seek the opposition’s help, while BJP too will have to walk the political tightrope to get the night markets’ proposal approved.

The BJP has strongly opposed the rooftop policy saying it is against Indian culture.

Senior party corporator Prakash Gangadhare said, “The craze of rooftop restaurants is due to western culture. It will also create a nuisance for those living in neighbouring localities. Security problems will also arise due to rooftop restaurants.”