2024-04-11 09:16:54
Mumbai: Two-time MP from South-Central Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, Rahul Shewale is in the fray for the third time. This is the first election after the split in Shiv Sena, when he will face his old ally Anil Desai. It is being said that the candidates of Uddhav group can get the benefit of sympathy from the split in the party. Shewale claimed that he tried hard to convince Uddhav Thackeray to accept Shinde as CM and take over the party like Balasaheb. However, due to his stubbornness this could not happen. Shewale, who came to Navbharat Times office on Monday, openly expressed his opinion on the burning issues of the city ranging from the development of Mumbai’s DP, Dharavi. Here are excerpts from the conversation with Shewale:It is very important to implement the development plan for the development of Mumbai, but what are the reasons why it could not be implemented?
Hundred percent implementation of DP is very important for the overall development of Mumbai, but due to the Congress government at the Center and the state, BMC could not implement the DP properly. The central government has a lot of land in Mumbai including defence, railways. Land acquisition is an important issue. Rs 14 lakh crore is required to implement the development plan. I have requested the Prime Minister’s Office in this regard, so that the DP can be implemented with the cooperation of BMC, State and Central Government. With this, Mumbaikars will be able to get many facilities. When the NDA and Mahayuti governments came to power at the Center and the state, emphasis was laid on the development of Mumbai. As a result of this, the projects of Atal Setu, Coastal Road and Metro have been implemented.
What efforts did you make to prevent divisions in Shiv Sena?
Even before and after the breakup of Shiv Sena, we tried a lot to convince Uddhav Thackeray. After the split in Shiv Sena, I kept explaining to Uddhav for a month that only you can save the party from disintegration. I told him that like Balasaheb, you should handle Shiv Sena and accept Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister. This could not happen because of his stubbornness. When Uddhav had formed an alliance with Maha Vikas Aghadi in the state, I had said that we should not join the Aghadi.
Uddhav did not give time to MPs, MLAs and workers. How much truth is there in this?
He was respected because he was the party chief, but when we went to meet him during his tenure as Chief Minister, we were asked to get the Covid test done. For this we had to wait. At the same time, when ministers from other parties used to come with businessmen, they were called immediately. In front of us, businessmen and leaders of other parties were called and served tea. Then it used to bother me.
Bhavana Gawli’s ticket was cancelled. Is injustice being done to the leaders who came with Shinde?
After the split in the party, the fight went to the Election Commission, Assembly and the Supreme Court. Now the Election Commission has considered us as the original Shiv Sena. Even today, all the 19 Shiv Sena MPs sit together at the table in the Lok Sabha office. Even today I am the leader of 19 Shiv Sena MPs. As far as the question of Bhavna Gawli’s ticket being canceled is concerned, Shinde has discussed with her. We will do justice by sending him to the Legislative Council.
What is the status of Dharavi redevelopment?
The salt pan space in Wadala will also be utilized. In the last 10 years, development work was done under the leadership of the Central Government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many schemes were started in the state from Devendra Fadnavis to Shinde’s tenure and efforts were made to provide relief to the people. I will inform the people of the area about it.
ED action is being taken continuously against opposition leaders, is it a coincidence or something else…?We have no role in this. This is a divine coincidence.