Narayan Rane: Shiv Sena pressured CM into re-allotting plots

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane has alleged that the BJP had reached a compromise with the Shiv Sena over the issue of open spaces in the city. The leader went on to say that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to allot open plots to private organisations in the city due to pressure from the Sena.

Raising the issue in the state Legislative Council, Mr Rane said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as part of its controversial open-space policy, had decided to allot recreational grounds and playgrounds in the city to private organisations. However, following the BJP leaders’ complaints, the CM directed the civic body to take back all 216 open plots. Accordingly, the BMC has taken back 125 plots so far.

“According to the 74th Constitution Amendment Act, the chief minister cannot interfere in municipal proceedings. Under whose authority, then, has the CM directed that the plots be taken back Now, after taking back the 125 plots, it has been proposed that they be given back to private organisations and clubs,” said the veteran Congress leader.

“Before the monsoon session, the CM had gone to Matoshree for a dinner. After this, he has suddenly changed his decision about open spaces. What transpired during that meeting ” he asked.

After the controversial new open-space policy was passed in the BMC, Mr Fadnavis, taking note of public wrath, had asked the civic body to review the policy. He also asked the BMC to take back 216 open plots, which were given on the previous adoption policy. The list of these plots, released by the civic body, includes many prominent recreational grounds and playgrounds (RGPGs), which are maintained by politicians’ trusts, corporates and gymkhanas.