Shiv Sena’s numbers go up in BMC, civic issues persist

Mumbai:  As the Shiv Sena, the ruling party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) completes one year in power, it has strengthened its position in the civic body politically by wooing six Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators into its fold. 

However, Mumbaikars have said that basic civic problems are still not being addressed and Sena needs to put in effort to solve them. “The party has not been able a find a solution to the chronic problem of water logging in the city during the monsoon. The much-touted Brimstowad project, which is being implemented to improve city’s water drainage capacity, has still not been completed,” said Lalbaug resident Rudresh Satpute.

“The pothole problem has continued to surface on city’s roads during monsoon. Despite spending crores of rupees in several years, the roads continue to be in a pathetic state during monsoon,” said Bhandup resident Santosh Sawant.

To tackle the garbage issue in the city, the BMC has started making it mandatory for housing societies to segregate the waste and process it in their premises only. However, the scheme has failed to get much support from residents as large numbers of housing societies are yet to implement it.

Despite being a pro-Marathi party, the Sena has failed to avert the number of Marathi municipal schools shutting down and on top of that, the party has shown an inclination to starting English-medium schools, much against its policy of promoting Marathi language.

With a difference of only two seats, the BJP having won 82 seats as against the Sena’s 84, the former had cornered the ruling party several times on important issues. To break away from the BJP’s shackles, the Sena desperately needed a breather, which it achieved by wooing six MNS corporators. With this, it has consolidated its position in the BMC.