Forget public park, save open spaces: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar strongly opposed the Shiv Sena’s demand of constructing a public park at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. HT reports.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar strongly opposed the Shiv Sena’s demand of constructing a public park at the Mahalaxmi Race Course.

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Pawar said saving open spaces in the city were the need of the hour.

Taking a dig at Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for promoting the concept of the public park, Pawar said he (Thackeray) imports such ideas from foreign countries.

“Rather than batting for one more park, the municipal corporation should first concentrate on protecting and maintaining the existing ones. I have been told that there are 263 parks and gardens in Mumbai and most of them are in bad shape,” he said.

Reacting to the NCP chief’s statement, Thackeray said, “We cannot think of bright ideas such as constructing Lavasa on open spaces. The racecourse has witnessed a lot

of betting till now. It is time that the common man gets some open space for his enjoyment.”