Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s alliance with Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was sustained purely to advance Hindutva principles, according to BJP election in-charge Ashish Shelar. Speaking with TOI in an exclusive conversation Thursday, Shelar indicated his party would comply with judicial rulings regarding the election of 69 unopposed corporators. “Should the court order fresh elections, we will follow that directive,” he stated.
The BJP has leveled allegations against Shiv Sena (UBT) of engaging in corruption worth Rs 3 lakh crore throughout its 25-year tenure governing Mumbai’s civic administration. Throughout this extended period, the BJP maintained its partnership with the Sena within the BMC. Distancing his party from these corrupt practices, Shelar emphasized that BJP corporators never occupied significant positions on the municipal corporation’s various statutory committees. He maintained they frequently challenged decisions deemed contrary to public welfare.
When questioned why BJP corporators remained in the alliance despite their concerns about corruption, Shelar responded simply, “It was only for Hindutva.”
The language-based Marathi-non-Marathi dispute represents an attempt by those anticipating electoral defeat, he suggested. “We announced Mumbai’s mayor would be a Hindu-Marathi individual, while our opponents failed to even reference Hindutva in their election platform,” Shelar remarked.
Supporting his party’s campaign focus on urban security, he explained, “Mumbai’s safety represents a critical concern, which our city president has highlighted. There exists a scheme to alter the city’s demographic composition, which we will prevent. Taking action against Bangladeshis and Rohingyas is appropriate,” he asserted.
The BJP has consistently contested elections centered on development issues, he noted. “Our complete attention is directed toward Mumbai’s advancement infrastructure, sidewalks, safety. Over the past 25 years, no significant accomplishments have satisfied Mumbai residents. Substantial work remains, and once we assume power, we will address it systematically,” he said.
Among the party’s initial priorities would be establishing a Water Management Authority and a restoration authority informed by NITI Aayog research, Shelar announced. This authority would detect leaks in current water infrastructure, explore rainwater collection, enhance groundwater levels and distribution networks, evaluate desalination facilities, and examine wastewater processing, among various initiatives.
The Tree Authority would undergo reorganization to adopt a comprehensive approach rather than simply approving tree removal, he added.
Shelar committed that the BJP would deliver transparent, corruption-free governance throughout the next five years if elected to manage the BMC.
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