Seat sharing, transparent BMC on agenda for meet

Mumbai: Along with seat sharing for the upcoming the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party  (BJP) will also raise the issue of transparent functioning of municipality at the meeting with Shiv Sena. Taking a cue from Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ remarks about the need for the transparent functioning of BMC, the BJP is all set to raise the issue of reducing corruption at the meeting.

The sources in the BJP said that seat sharing is one part of the alliance, but there are other larger issues to be discussed to improve the image of the civic body. “The tendering process should be clean, global tenders should be invited, competitiveness in the bidding process and standard of works must be maintained. These issues will be raised during the meeting with Shiv Sena,” a leader from BJP said on condition of anonymity.

In his recent speech at the state executive meeting of BJP, Mr Fadnavis emphasised on the need for the transparent functioning of the civic body. Echoing similar concerns, BJP’s Mumbai president Ashish Shelar has openly criticised the Shiv Sena, levelling charges of corruption against the alliance partner. However, Shiv Sena leadership has dismissed the graft charges.

A Shiv Sena leader said, “BJP has been in alliance with us for 20 years. The party never uttered a word against so-called corruption. Now BJP is doing this to gain political mileage. We have always worked in favour of the people and for the development of Mumbai. The citizens have trusted us and always voted for the Shiv Sena.” BJP leaders Vinod Tawde and Ashish Shelar will hold a meeting with Sena leaders Anil Desai and Anil Parab to discussing seat sharing for municipal polls today. The leaders have been given the responsibility of negotiations, but Mr Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will take the final call.