MUMBAI, AUG 27: Bruised by the BJP's aggressive attack in the on-going campaign for the Kalyan-Dombivli municipal elections, the Shiv Sena is now working overtime to portray the BJP's ``real picture'' before the electorate. As a first step, it has splashed a photograph of BJP leader Ram Kapse tucking into ice-cream at the inauguration of the controversial Roop Sangam store in Kalyan in 1983, much to the discomfiture of the BJP which has been slamming the Sena for protecting the store despite the problems it causes.Charging the BJP with double talk and asking Kapse to get off the moral high horse, leader of opposition in the Assembly Narayan Rane told Newsline: ``If Kapse chose to attack us on Roop Sangam, will he care to explain why he inaugurated the same?''As if this weren't enough, the Sena has dug out an old invite of the programme listing Kapse as a dignitary invited for the inaugural function.The store has been in the centre of controversy due to the massive flooding it causes in Kalyan every year, affecting over a lakh people. Built in 1972 by matka king Nanubhai Nagadia atop the arterial Jari Mari nullah, the Sadhana complex that now houses Roop Sangam was further raised and expanded illegally in 1982, constricting the 25 feet nullah into mere seven feet. This leads to heavy flooding in Rambaug, Joshibaug, Azad Nagar, New High School, Malhar Nagar, Narayan Wadi, Shivaji Chowk and the main Laxmi market area with even a slightly heavy shower.All shops and houses in this area are inundated with sewage every year. In fact, following the unusually heavy downpour on July 12 and 13 this year, the waters receded only on July 15. Linking the recent leptospirosis epidemic which left 12 dead in Kalyan alone with the flooding that occurs due to the Roop Sangam building, Kapse had alleged on August 13 that the ruling Sena was dragging its feet on the issue ``for reasons best known to itself.'' On August 20 again, at a public meeting at the same venue in Dombivli, while former deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde had attacked the Sena for its diluted Hindutva (due to its non-participation in the VHP-sponsored Bharat Bandh), Kapse who leads the BJP charge (with assistance from Kalyan MLA Jagannath Patil) had reiterated the accusation.After a public meeting at Dombivli on Saturday, Sena MP Madhukar Sarpotdar said: ``We have instructions from our supremo Balasaheb Thackeray to hold our horses, otherwise who dares challenge a Shiv Sainik and not get a befitting reply?'' He reminded the BJP that ``the Sena has among its ranks people equipped with skills to deal with all kinds of people and challenges.''The circulation of Kapse's pictures is expected take the sting out of the BJP's campaign, and the Sena is making great efforts at their wide circulation.Reacting to the pictures and the charges made against him, Kapse said, ``The plan for the building was passed in 1972, while the Jan Sangh came to power in 1974. So to say that we are responsible will be wrong.''Admitting he had attended the inauguration function, Kapse said, ``But there was not even one complaint from any quarter about the structure causing floods or obstructing the nullah at that time. How were we to determine, at that juncture itself, that flooding would occur later?'' He pointed out how the Sena, which is otherwise hyperactive on even inconsequential issues, has done little apart from litigation on the Roop Sangam issue despite being in power since 1995, ``from when the floods have been progressively worse every year.''He also pointed out how the illegal construction of chawls by sitting Sena-Independent corporators and civic panel members in the low-lying basin of the nullah had further worsened the situation.
