Vada pav row: BMC says it will remove all illegal stalls in city
Even as the Swabhimaan Sanghatana led by Nitesh Rane inaugurated its first Chhatrapati Vada Pav centre at Powai on Friday; the civic body warned it would remove all illegal stalls across the city including the Shiv Vada Pav stalls set up by the Shiv Sena.
Even as the Swabhimaan Sanghatana led by Nitesh Rane inaugurated its first Chhatrapati Vada Pav centre at Powai on Friday; the civic body warned it would remove all illegal stalls across the city including the Shiv Vada Pav stalls set up by the Shiv Sena.
“We will not discriminate against anyone and action will be taken against anyone who does not have the requisite licences,” said Chandrashekhar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner.
Nitesh Rane, son of state industries minister Narayan Rane, is one of the bitterest rivals of the Sena ever since his father quit the saffron outfit. While inaugurating the Powai centre, Nitesh announced that he would start a chain of stalls across the city and warned the BMC against selective targeting of his outlets.
“If the BMC wants to demolish our illegal stalls, they should first start with Shiv vada centres first,” said Nitesh. He said he would not tolerate injustice against his Maharashtrian youth and would ensure that Sena’s vada centres also face an axe.
However, the Sena persists that its stalls are legal.
“We have the sanction of the civic body and if Swabhimaan wants they should apply for a licence, instead of arguing with us,” said Ravindra Waikar,
Sena legislator and former chairman, BMC Standing Committee.
NGOs have jumped into the fray demanding action against all illegal stalls. “There will be total chaos if everyone sets up illegal stalls across the city in the name of providing employment,” said Neera Punj, convener, CITISPACE, the NGO working for open spaces.