Shiv Sena and the BJP — the two ruling parties in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — are again likely to lock horns over two key proposals — rooftop hotels and night markets — in the civic house next month.
While the Sena is rooting for rooftop restaurants in the city, the BJP is demanding night markets to boost tourism in city. However, both the parties are trying to play spoilsport for the other on these proposals.
Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray has supported the concept of rooftop restaurants in the city. Hence, the rooftop policy has become a matter of prestige for Shiv Sena. However, it failed to get policy cleared in the civic improvements committee at BJP opposed the proposal saying it is against the Indian culture.
BJP MLA and corporator Ameet Satam had demanded that there should be night markets in the city. However, the proposal has hit a stumbling block in the form of Sena, which has opposed it stubbornly. Despite this, the BJP passed the night markets proposal in the civic law committee.
Both the proposals will now be tabled in the civic general body meeting in March. Sena is determined on passing the rooftop restaurants proposal and for this, it has decided to accept MNS’s demand of including commercial structures and corporate offices in the policy.
“We support the rooftop policy. But it should not be restricted only to hotel buildings but also be extended to commercial structures and corporate offices,” said MNS group leader Sandeep Deshpande.
Sena is still sulking over BJP’s refusal to support its nightlife proposal to keep open all eateries and restaurants 24/7 in the city. “They want night markets in the city, but they are opposing nightlife. Isn’t it ironic We will oppose their proposal in the civic house,” said a senior Sena leader.
