Campa Cola residents call on Uddhav to fete him, plead their case

Shewale and Sawant have won from Mumbai South Central and Mumbai South, respectively.

Campa Cola compound.

With the May 31 deadline for vacating their illegal flats looming, beleaguered residents of the Campa Cola compound Saturday called on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree to congratulate him and with a hope to seek his intervention on their behalf.

Twelve residents from the Campa Cola compound met Thackeray, his son Aditya, and Sena leaders Rahul Shewale and Arvind Sawant. “We went to the Thackeray residence to congratulate them on their victory. The leaders have supported us from the beginning and also assured us they will help us again,” said Nandini Mehta, a resident.

Shewale and Sawant have won from Mumbai South Central and Mumbai South, respectively. During his campaign, Sawant had assured Campa Cola residents of his support if he won.

“We are planning to meet the Sena leaders again next week. We will also meet the chief minister to seek a solution at the earliest. This is our only hope,” said Karan Sethia, another resident.

On March 5 this year, the Supreme Court maintained its November 2013 order, which had fixed the May 31 deadline for Campa Cola residents to vacate their illegal houses.

“We have folded hands in front of every leader. We are hoping the new (Modi) government can bring in a change and help us save our homes,” said Vidya Srinivasan, a resident.

Aditya Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena’s youth wing, said, “They came to congratulate and thank us for our constant support. We through the elected corporators in BMC have supported the residents. The standing committee has also voiced support. The CM has to act to support them, so should the Municipal Commissioner. BMC can act only if the CM intervenes.”

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com

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