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The recent heavy rains in Maharashtra have triggered a political storm, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray launching a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde-led government. Thackeray, the former minister, accused the current dispensation of failing to provide adequate relief mechanisms and exhibiting a lack of preparedness during the flooding that engulfed Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. He highlighted the unprecedented flooding on the Western Express Highway, a key route in the western suburbs of Mumbai, and compared it to the devastating floods of 2005. This incident, according to Thackeray, underscores the government's negligence and inability to handle such emergencies effectively.
Thackeray's criticism extended to the absence of any visible support from the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance during the crisis. He pointed out that despite the presence of 400 pumps and five pumping stations in Mumbai, they proved ineffective in managing the flood situation. He also highlighted the waterlogging in areas like Hindmata, which had been previously addressed by flood mitigation measures implemented by the previous government. These failures, he argued, highlight the government's incompetence and disregard for public safety.
In a further indictment of the Shinde government's administration, Thackeray pointed out that there have been no appointments made for 15 assistant municipal commissioner positions for the past two-and-a-half years. He emphasized the need for immediate civic body elections to ensure that citizens have local representatives to address their grievances. He criticized the governance of civic bodies currently run by administrators, arguing that they are accountable to the Urban Development Department, which falls under the purview of the chief minister. This centralized control, he believes, hinders efficient and responsive local governance.
Thackeray's criticism also extended to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, whom he blamed for train delays and overcrowding caused by the rains. This multifaceted attack reflects Thackeray's determination to capitalize on the government's shortcomings, using the flooding as a platform to expose its perceived failures and mobilize public sentiment against the current administration. The call for immediate civic body elections further underscores Thackeray's intention to regain political ground for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and position himself as a vocal advocate for the people during times of crisis.
Source: Aaditya Thackeray slams Shinde government over flooding, calls for immediate civic polls