BMC chief’s Mumbai remark upsets Raj
Wanting to greet the recently appointed municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray went home with what he had least expected - a dose of his own medicine.
Wanting to greet the recently appointed municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray went home with what he had least expected - a dose of his own medicine.
A meeting between Thackeray and Kumar, along with other civic officials, lasted for a little over one minute. Reason: even though Thackeray refused to speak to the media, sources in the MNS said the reason was Kumar's statement, "Mumbai sarvanchi aahe" (Mumbai is for all).
A senior MNS leader, requesting anonymity, said: "Thackeray had not come with any specific agenda. But when the civic chief said Mumbai is for all and you are free to give suggestions on its development, saheb didn't like it and the meeting ended."
The leader added that Thackeray felt Kumar, known for his no-nonsense image, was trying to score a political point over him, who has little hold over the civic body.
The rival Shiv Sena rules the corporation, which is the single largest party in the civic body, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The MNS, meanwhile, has only seven corporators in the corporation.
Another civic official, said: "The commissioner wasn't trying to make a political statement. He simply meant that everyone has a role to play in Mumbai's development and asked Thackeray to send in his suggestions."
Another official said the quick meeting was 'surprising'. "Kumar had kept about half an hour for this meeting, but it was surprising as Thackeray left quickly."
"Nothing of this sort happened. It was a cordial meeting and Thackeray said he had only come to congratulate the commissioner for this post," a senior official said.