Raj, Uddhav slug it out over city’s plight

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday took potshots at Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s passion for photography by holding a photo exhibition highlighting Mumbai’s plight.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday took potshots at Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s passion for photography by holding a photo exhibition highlighting Mumbai’s plight.

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Uddhav had recently released a book of photographs he had taken during an aerial photo shoot. The book, Maharashtra Desha, had aerial shots of select locations from across the state. The MNS called its photo-exhibition Mumbai Desha.

While Uddhav’s book showcases forts and temples across the state, the MNS has captured the city’s deteriorating infrastructure — potholed roads, uncleared garbage and hospitals teeming with patients.

The potholed roads are described as modern speed breakers, crows hovering over uncleared garbage is titled the ‘crow school’ while water accumulated in potholes is called “artificial lakes” conceived by the BMC.

Uddhav’s party rules the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“The photos say it all,” Raj said. “The city is in a mess.” Uddhav, meanwhile, lashed out at Raj, without taking his name, saying those who indulged in politics over malaria were leaders of “cheap quality”.

He said Raj should probably publish a book titled ‘Shiv Sena Dwesha (hatred)’, chronicling how he (Raj) hated the Sena.

Raj’s close aide, Dadar-Mahim legislator, Nitin Sardesai, said: “There is absolutely no accountability and corruption rules the civic body.”

However Sunil Prabhu, Leader of the BMC House and senior Sena corporator dismissed these allegations.

“Since Mumbai is an island, potholes are bound to happen,” Prabhu said.