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  Metros   Mumbai  28 Nov 2016  Shiv Sena goes back on vow to not wait for Maharashtra CM

Shiv Sena goes back on vow to not wait for Maharashtra CM

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Nov 28, 2016, 6:24 am IST
Updated : Nov 28, 2016, 6:25 am IST

The BJP leaders last month had boycotted the inauguration ceremony of a new Fire Brigade building at Dadar.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (Photo: PTI)
 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has, in a week, reneged on its vow to not wait for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make an appearance at any event.

The party has persuaded the chief minister to be present for the commissioning of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) disaster management cell.

Mr Fadnavis will commission the BMC’s state-of-the-art disaster management cell at the civic headquarters on Monday in the presence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and mayor Snehal Ambekar.

Just a week earlier, Sena had carried out bhoomipujan of the Colaba Sewage Treatment Plant despite the CM being not available for the function. With the BMC elections round the corner, Sena has planned a series of inauguration and commissioning events in the BMC. However, reportedly irked with CM’s lack of response, the Sena had decided not to wait for him for any events.

Just after the bhoomipujan ceremony, the mayor had written a letter to the chief minister requesting his presence for four BMC events — commissioning of the disaster management cell, inauguration of Gundavali-Kapurbavdi-Bhandup complex underground tunnel and the beautification of Powai Lake and Vihar Water Sports Complex.

According to party sources, Sena had planned to carry out these events without the CM. But with Mr Fadnavis agreeing to attend the commissioning event, party leaders have heaved a sigh of relief.

“We were trying every possible effort to bring the chief minister for BMC events. But at times he was not being able to make it due to his busy schedule. It’s good that that Mr Fadnavis will be present for the commissioning of disaster management cell. We hope that he finds time for the forthcoming BMC events too,” said senior Sena leader Trishna Vishwasrao.

BJP group leader Manoj Kotak said, “Ms Fadnavis is not only our top leader, but also the chief minister of the state. We will be present for the event.”

Earlier, there was a spat between Sena and BJP over the inauguration of development works. The BJP leaders last month had boycotted the inauguration ceremony of a new Fire Brigade building at Dadar. In the month of June too, BJP leaders were absent in the inauguration ceremony of Britannia pumping station at Reay Road. Just a couple of days before that function Sena had stayed away from the Smart City programme, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Pune.

Tags: shiv sena, devendra fadnavis, bmc