BJP leaders decide to hurt Shiv Sena’s poll prospects

If the signs are anything to go by, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have now decided to take the Shiv Sena head on in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BJP leaders are going all out to damage the poll prospects of their alliance partner in the civic polls to be held next year.

BJP city chief Ashish Shelar and MP Kirit Somaiya last week directly attacked their alliance partner, alleging a huge scam in the water supply by private tankers. They have also threatened to lodge a criminal complaint if the BMC did not take immediate measures to prevent water thefts.

Mr Somaiya alleged that Sena leaders did not heed several of his complaints about water pilferage by private tankers. Mr Shelar too said that along with taking credit for works, the Sena should take the blame for the things that have gone wrong.

Their tirade gave a clear indication that the BJP is bracing itself to fight against Sena in the BMC polls. The party leaders earlier used to make a veiled attack on its alliance partner on the civic issues. However, they have now started openly targeting Sena over the mess in several issues like road repairs, dumping, water theft etc.

After becoming the number one party in the city during the state Assembly polls two years ago, the BJP leaders have made no bones about their plans to win the richest municipal corporation in the country on their own. With the help of the state government, it has been using every trick in the book to a telling effect to outsmart Sena on city matters. Sena’s efforts to push through two major policies — parking and open space — were foiled by the party leaders with the help of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who stayed both the policies.

Following the fires at Deonar dumping ground, Mr Somaiya had also raised queries over the maintenance of the dumpsite.

The BJP leaders last year made allegations of corruption in desilting works. Acceding to their demands, the civic chief instituted an inquiry, in which 32 contractors were found guilty and 14 engineers were suspended.

Reacting sharply to its ally, a senior Sena corporator said, “The BJP should not forget that it was party to all the decisions we have taken in the BMC. They are now trying to blame us for all the ills. But we will expose all its efforts to fool the people.”