The administrative tussle between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Developmental Authority (MMRDA) took a political turn on Monday. Leaders of the Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP,which control the two entities,met Chief Minister Ashok Chavan separately,each side blaming the other for lack of progress in work for the monsoon. Leaders of both parties said their respective agencies have done the work needed; if there is still a problem,the other agency should be blamed. The game of political one-upmanship began when Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh and NCP city president Sachin Ahir,along with other party MLAs,met the CM from 2 pm to 3 pm. Hardly had that meeting ended when the Sena top brass,headed by Uddhav Thackeray and Mayor Shubha Raul,and accompanied by MLAs Neelam Gorhe and Ramdas Kadam,called on the Chief Minister. Armed with a list of seven spots and photographs,they complained to the CM about the MMRDA. Kripashankar Singh said the meeting was always planned on the first day of the assembly session. It is not that we suddenly remembered the issues concerning the city. In fact,it is those who have been taught a lesson by the people of Mumbai a reference to the Senas thrashing in the Lok Sabha elections who have all of a sudden thought of the city, Singh said. Uddhav Thackeray attacked the MMRDA for lack of progress on projects like the monorail,skywalks and the Metro. The BMC has always been doing its job but till other agencies also do theirs,Mumbais flooding woes wont be solved, he said. He said the MMRDA would be responsible for any flooding in areas where its projects are on. The Mayor added,The MMRDA does not heed even the CMs directives. Various spots are still excavated and have not been filled,long after the May 20 deadline, she said. The Sena also attacked the Airport Authority of India and Western Railways for delaying the widening of the Mithi near the runway and improper nullah de-silting. Singh countered that the BMC too has failed to complete its part of the work on the Mithi. Chavan has now asked chief secretary Johny Joseph to intervene. Asked if the issue was being politicised,he said,I dont think its a political issue between the Sena and the Congress. Its important to see that the people of Mumbai face no trouble, he said. Chavan did not want to be accused of trying to favour any party or target another. If the BMC has done all the work then I have nothing to say. All other agencies will help them ensure the city does not flood, he said.
