Mumbai: Going against Shiv Sena’s allegation on BJP of separating Mumbai, the later kick-started its campaign on Sunday by paying respect to United Maharashtra martyrs at Hutatma Chowk. Candidates of BJP took oath of transparency in the party’s functioning after coming to power. Shiv Sena in its recent rally for the campaign had alleged BJP for hacking conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra like the party’s long pending demand for dividing the state.
Addressing the all-227 candidates, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar alleged that Shiv Sena and Congress are working in close collusion to defeat BJP. “Defeating BJP is the only agenda Shiv Sena and Congress have. The two have done match fixing by giving candidates suitable to each other’s party. I can tell such 42 seats where the two parties are hand in gloves. This is against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mumbai and Maharashtra. But you cannot defeat us this way,” Shelar said in the first rally for the BMC polls. He also said that similar efforts were made by MNS chief Raj Thackeray with Shiv Sena but the alliance did not take place and hence the secret pact with Congress.
Questioning the agenda behind Sena’s opposition, Shelar hinted at corruption. “Why do they oppose us? Is it because we sent contractors in jail who cheated Mumbaikars? Or is it because we charged corrupt officials in BMC and initiated inquiries against dumping grounds and water theft?” he remarked.
The BJP started its campaign a day after Shiv Sena’s campaign, where Sena hinted at a no post-poll alliance with BJP. In addition, the Sena warned the BJP that the BMC poll is not a “friendly match” but a “battle” for Marathi pride.
Meanwhile, BJP declared that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis would be communicating with citizens online on Monday. Some of the important suggestions by the citizens would be incorporated in the BJP’s manifesto.
