MUMBAI: Two days after the unopposed election of BJP corporator Ritu Tawde as the Mumbai Mayor, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday characterised the new administration as a "dark day" for Mumbai, alleging that the ruling party’s leadership will prioritise the interests of industrialists over the Marathi people, and will facilitate land acquisitions by major businesses.
The party said that this is despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissing such concerns, stating that the new leadership would bring a transparent administration and fulfil the dreams of Mumbai's citizens.
The Thackeray camp in the party's mouthpiece, Saamana, claimed that the BJP secured power by "creating a rift" among Marathi voters. “Money was spent like a dam bursting just to ensure a BJP Mayor was appointed. If the keys to the municipal corporation were in Shiv Sena's hands, they would have stopped this looting of Mumbai. Therefore, a conspiracy was hatched to ensure there wouldn't be a 'pure Marathi' Mayor from Shiv Sena. Just as Morarji Desai ruthlessly ordered firing on Marathi people during the United Maharashtra movement, the BJP is now tearing Mumbai apart piece by piece, ” it alleged.