Mumbai civic polls: Shiv Sena targets BJP’s Ashish Shelar, Kirit Somaiya with graft allegations

The Shiv Sena, after being at the receiving end of corruption allegations and lack of transparency claims for months, on Monday targeted two of its biggest critics from the BJP — Ashish Shelar and Kirit Somaiya

The Shiv Sena, after being at the receiving end of corruption allegations and lack of transparency claims for months, on Monday targeted two of its biggest critics from the BJP — Ashish Shelar and Kirit Somaiya.

The Shiv Sena, after being at the receiving end of corruption allegations and lack of transparency claims for months, on Monday targeted two of its biggest critics from the BJP — Ashish Shelar (in pic) and Kirit Somaiya

The Sena slammed Shelar, BJP’s Mumbai chief, claiming he was “hand-in-glove” with members of United Phosphorous Ltd, the company that was in-charge of handling waste management at the Deonar dumping ground.

Sena MP Rahul Shewale said, “The contract for the partial closure of the Deonar dumping ground was given to United Phosphorous Ltd. Sanjay Kakade and Jaidev Shroff are associated with the company. Shelar helped Shroff and even held a meeting with the Municipal Commissioner to get the BMC to release payments to the company. The BJP should clarify what relations Shelar and Jai Shroff have.”

Shewale did not give provide any documents to support his allegations. He also alleged BJP MP Kirit Somaiya wanted the Mulund dumping ground cleared to favour a private developer. Somaiya threw the same allegation back at the Shiv Sena. “One week ago too, Shewale made allegations of my having taken a bribe to get the place cleared for a private builder. But now, the party is itself is saying it will close the Mulund dumping ground. Why the U-turn? How much money has the Shiv Sena settled for? This shows the party’s culture,” Somaiya said.

While Shelar did not respond directly, BJP corporator Manoj Kotak said, “Neither Shelar nor Somaiya have anything to do with the dumping ground contract. Taking cuts is Shewale’s job. Being the standing committee chairman, he is familiar with tenders, bills, contracts and such trading. The dumping ground contract went to a company in partnership with a firm associated with Shewale, so he knows the details well.”Kotak added the contract was scrapped only after the Devendra Fadnavis-led government came to power. Shelar and Somaiya have been targeting the Sena for corruption and lack of transparency in the Mumbai civic body since, even before the BJP and Sena decided to split.

Sena’s Anil Parab alleged the BJP was misusing its power of being a majority in the government with the home department, which CM Fadnavis holds, and instructing police to protect Sena defectors. Orders have reached all police stations to help BJP’s candidates,” Parab said. BJP state spokesperson Madhav Bhandari criticized the Sena, saying it should maintain the sanctity of the police force and not drag it into politics.

READ MORE

It’s Aaditya vs Amit: GenNext Thackerays to woo BMC voters