Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly: Shiv Sena leaders face off over slum redevelopment delay
Raising the issue in the assembly, Sena UBT MLA from Bandra East Varun Sardesai criticised the Centre and state governments for the seven-year delay in transferring the 42 acres of defence land to the Maharashtra government.
Responding on behalf of Housing Minister Eknath Shinde, Desai said the Chief Minister had written four times to the Centre. "There has been constant follow-up," he said. (ANI Photo) -
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The Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated exchange of words on Tuesday as Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs locked horns with minister and its rival Shinde Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai over the delay in securing the Centre’s approval to rehabilitate slum dwellers on defence land in Mumbai’s Bandra East. The verbal exchanges forced the house to be adjourned for 10 minutes.
Raising the issue in the assembly, Sena UBT MLA from Bandra East Varun Sardesai criticised the Centre and state governments for the seven-year delay in transferring the 42 acres of defence land to the Maharashtra government — land on which nearly 9,500 shanties currently exist.
“You control both Delhi and Mumbai. What’s stopping you from resolving this issue? Will the land be transferred? Will these families be relocated? This has been hanging since 2017,” said Sardesai.
Responding on behalf of Housing Minister Eknath Shinde, Desai said the Chief Minister had written four times to the Centre. “There has been constant follow-up,” he said.
When Sardesai asked for a time bound solution to the issue and pointed out the delays in obtaining an NOC from the Centre’s defence ministry or transfer of land to the state government for redevelopment, Desai pointed fingers at the previous Uddhav Thackeray led MVA regime saying the matter saw “no movement” between 2019 and 2022.
“No follow up with the Centre was done between 2019 and 2022 and Eknath Shinde took up the issue in September 2024, when he became chief minister,” Desai said. The remark sparked protests from Sena (UBT) MLAs, who reminded Desai of his own role in the Thackeray-led cabinet.
Senior leader Bhaskar Jadhav said, “You were part of that very government. How can you now absolve yourself?”
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Tempers flared further when Jadhav questioned whether Desai was formally authorised to speak on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “Did the Chair permit this? Where is the authorisation letter?” he asked, prompting a brief adjournment of the House.
When the Assembly reconvened, Speaker Rahul Narwekar clarified that Desai was empowered to reply on issues related to the Housing and Urban Development Department, based on a written request from Shinde.
Jadhav later clarified that his objection was as per procedure, not directed at the Speaker’s ruling. “We raised this because the Opposition is dissatisfied with the replies being given,” he said.
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