BJP’s Parag Shah to pose major challenge to Chheda

Mumbai: Pravin Chheda, senior Congress corporator and leader of opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will face a stern test as the BJP has decided to field a prominent developer Parag Shah against him in the forthcoming municipal polls.

Mr Chheda is likely to contest from ward 132 in Ghatkopar consisting of Garodia Nagar-Rajawadi areas. Mr Shah, who is a managing director of Man Infraconstruction, is considered to be close to Prakash Mehta, a local MLA and minister of housing.

Incidentally Mr Chheda was a former BJP man, who had switched his loyalties to Congress just before the last BMC polls. He had then defeated BJP’s Bhalchandra Shirsat from ward 124. After his appointment as an opposition leader last year, Mr Chheda has consistently attacked the saffron alliance in the BMC and state government.

“Defeating Mr Chheda will be our main task as he is a leader of opposition in the BMC. Hence we have decided to field a strong candidate against him,” said a senior BJP leader.

According to political sources, Mr Chheda had differences with Mr Mehta, which had prompted him to quit the BJP five years back. By fielding an acolyte, the housing minister now wants to settle scores with him.

Mr Shah said he would be contesting from the ward 132 in BMC polls. “Though I am not a politician, I have been engaged in social work for a long time. I now want to serve people by contesting elections.”

I would like to cater to the problems faced by the people of Garodia Nagar, as it is a private layout. There is also a need to provide morgue vans facility to the people here, he said.