Shiv Sena (UBT) Yuva Sena chief and MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday addressed a Jansabha, a day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were announced, reminding Mumbaikars of the Shiv Sena’s achievements during its tenure at the civic body while launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over what he alleged were attempts to turn the city into “Adani Nagari.”
In the beginning Thackeray gave a reminder of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thackeray said several decisive steps taken at the time, including setting up the country’s first field hospital, creating isolation centres and maintaining direct communication with citizens through Facebook Live were driven by the leadership of then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. He said the government’s handling of the crisis had even drawn praise from the World Health Organization, and stressed that millions of lives were saved without resorting to publicity or hoardings.
Speaking about the BMC’s finances, Thackeray said the civic body demonstrated fiscal discipline by turning an initial deficit of Rs 650 crore into a surplus of Rs 92,000 crore, without raising taxes or curtailing development work. He alleged that the situation has since reversed, claiming that Mumbai is now burdened with a debt of Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
Thackeray said the Shiv Sena-led administration focused on strengthening core civic services. He pointed to the introduction of digital education and CBSE and ICSE curricula in municipal schools, improved healthcare facilities, affordable water supply, stable BEST bus fares, redevelopment of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo, large-scale mangrove conservation and steps aimed at making Mumbai flood-free as key achievements.
Training his guns on the BJP, Thackeray said the ruling party should not seek credit for work done by others. “The BJP’s only contribution to Mumbai has been looting the treasury,” he alleged, while also questioning the government’s intentions behind projects related to Dharavi redevelopment, Postal Road, BEST services and water supply.
Thackeray underscored the need to protect Mumbai’s identity. “Mumbai should remain Mumbai. We will not allow it to become ‘Adani Nagar’. This is a fight to save Mumbai,” he said, urging citizens to stand with what he called a larger battle for the city’s future.
