Promising a transparent Mumbai makeover complete with ease of living and livelihood opportunities, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said “Marathi Manoos will not have to go out of the city and that they will get houses within the city”.
He declared that Mumbai’s next mayor will be from the Mahayuti and the mayor will be a Hindu and Marathi. Fadnavis was addressing a joint BJP, Shiv Sena and RPI rally for the BMC elections at Worli, emphasising on making the country’s financial capital safe and secure by driving away illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators who have made the city their home. “In Mumbai, Marathi Manoos will no longer be driven away. Instead, they will be eligible for decent homes right in the heart of city. To address pollution, a dedicated Rs 17,000 crore budget will be set aside to tackle the problem effectively,” he said.
Confident of a grand victory in the BMC polls, Fadnavis said, “We don’t get intimidated by false storms. Our resolve is unshakable.”
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (left) and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at an election rally. Confident of a grand victory in the BMC polls, Fadnavis said, “We don’t get intimidated by false storms. Our resolve is unshakable.” (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
“During elections, there are some (Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS) who raise the bogey of threat to Mumbai. Such false narrative to break Mumbai from Maharashtra is spread to mislead people. But such cannards are not going to work. People know who is what,” Fadnavis said, adding that “under PM Narendra Modi the city got maximum funds for mega projects. And it is evident for people to see”.
“Through 450-km metro network we want to interconnect entire MMR region. So far 350-km work is complete. The purpose is is ensure people travelling anywhere across Mumbai Metropolitan Region should reach within 59 minutes. We plan not only to decongest Mumbai and enhance commuting but ensure better life and livelihood for Mumbai’s poor, middle-class, working class,” he asserted.
While targeting rivals for compromising on Hindutva, Fadnavis said, “We are not against any religion or religious practice. We are opposed to those living in India refusing to say ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.”
“In the name of religion if some segments indulge in anti-nattional acts, it will not be tolerated. They will be taught a lesson as security of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India cannot be compromised,” he warned.
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Referring to Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, Fadnavis said some media persons wondered how we will fight them in the BMC polls. “My response is we don’t get intimidated by false power… They fear false storms who lack courage,” he said.
Referring to several mega projects in the city from coastal road and metro to housing development, the chief minister said, “Our rivals are trying to take credit for our projects. But Mumbaikars are not going to be fooled by such gimmicks. Everybody knows who has done the work in Maximum Mumbai. Even if you wake them up in the middle of night, they will say it was Mahayuti. Whereas, it was Uddhav Thackeray’s regime in Maha Vikas Aghadi which stalled all projects in Mumbai.”
Earlier, speaking at the rally, Shiv Sena president and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, “Uddhav Thackeray looted the BMC. They want power to secure their politics and family. They are not concerned about Marathi Manoos. They remember them only in elections.”
“Uddhav has compromises Bal Thackeray’s beliefs and legacy by compromising with those who are against Hindutva. Now, even the Congress seems to have dumped them,” he said.
Shinde termed Uddhav as “corruption samrat (king of corruption)”.
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“Whether it is the Ram Temple or abrogation of Article 370, Modi fulfilled the dreams of Bal Thackeray,” he added.
