Days after showdown, BJP, Sena bury differences on Mumbai floods

After heavy rains on June 19 resulted in flooding and paralysed life in the city, the BJP had mounted an offensive against the Shiv Sena, demanding a high-level inquiry on drain cleaning works. Although both the parties are in alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Shiv Sena holds more sway over its functioning.

The BJP’s jibe had led to fresh tension between the allies, with Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray retaliating with criticism of the BJP government in the state and the Centre.

In the Legislative Assembly, the Congress, in an attempt to exploit this wedge further, initiated a calling attention motion, where it demanded a SIT probe in drain cleaning works. BJP’s Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar, a legislator from Bandra, who had demanded the probe in drain works, however, chose not to participate in the discussion. In fact, just as the Chair called the motion, he was seen walking out of the house. None of the other BJP legislators participated in the discussion either.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who heads the Urban Development department, declined the Opposition’s request for a SIT probe. While the BMC has constituted a Deputy Municipal Commissioner-led panel to probe drain cleaning works, Fadnavis on Friday, barely asked civic commissioner Ajoy Mehta to oversee this probe.