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The Dharavi redevelopment project, a massive undertaking to revamp one of Mumbai's largest slums, has become a focal point of political tension in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, former Chief Minister of the state, has vowed to cancel the project's tender awarded to the Adani Group if his party wins the upcoming assembly elections. Thackeray, alleging several irregularities in the project, claims the state government is favoring Adani and handing over control of Mumbai to the industrialist, potentially turning the city into 'Adani City.' He demands a new tender with transparent details and provisions for slum dwellers.
The Congress party, a key opposition force in the state, echoes Thackeray's criticism. Their state president, Nana Patole, accuses the ruling BJP government of prioritizing Adani's interests and handing over valuable land rights in Mumbai, including the Dharavi land and the Worli dairy land, at unfairly low prices. Patole claims that the central government under Prime Minister Modi is directing the state to favor Adani. The Congress accuses the BJP of selling off Maharashtra's assets to Gujarat, Adani's home state.
However, the BJP and its ally, the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Rahul Shewale, dismiss Thackeray's accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Shewale alleges Thackeray's criticisms are merely a strategy to raise funds for his party ahead of the elections and are aimed at discrediting Adani. The BJP, in turn, defends the project, highlighting its potential to improve the lives of Dharavi's residents by providing them with modern housing and infrastructure. The controversy underscores the intense political competition in Maharashtra, with both sides leveraging the Dharavi project to gain electoral advantage.
Source: Adani Group: Uddhav Thackeray and Congress Criticize Government Over Dharavi Project