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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Four MLAs miss Thackeray’s meeting

Mumbai: As the rebel six MPs were proudly showcased before the media in a grand event by Shiv Sena President and Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, ex-CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray summoned his entire flock of lawmakers for a headcount – and discovered that four were allegedly ‘missing’, on Monday. The development came after a similar meeting last week of its nine Lok Sabha MPs saw only three in attendance and the six prospective turncoats proclaimed loyalty in the...

Four MLAs miss Thackeray’s meeting

Mumbai: As the rebel six MPs were proudly showcased before the media in a grand event by Shiv Sena President and Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, ex-CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray summoned his entire flock of lawmakers for a headcount – and discovered that four were allegedly ‘missing’, on Monday. The development came after a similar meeting last week of its nine Lok Sabha MPs saw only three in attendance and the six prospective turncoats proclaimed loyalty in the names of their parents and children or Shirdi Saibaba and Goddess Tulja Bhavani – all came to nought as the subsequent dramatic events that unfolded confirmed. Against the backdrop of that ugly butcher-cut, Thackeray had convened a meeting of all SS (UBT) MLAs and MLCs this afternoon. Out of 20 MLAs, 16 were present on Monday, besides five MLCs, as the party fortified itself to keep the hunting wolf away from its pen. A senior party leader assured that the four MLAs who stayed away had given valid reasons for their absence to the top SS (UBT) brass, which is strategising on how to prevent another assault on its strength – the second brazen one in four years. This time, the SS (UBT) leaders are even more nervous as Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam claimed today that “another MP” is veering towards them. Earlier, other Shiv Sena leaders made the SS (UBT) even more jumpy with dark predictions that “at least 14-15 MLAs” would soon join their camp. In Monday’s meeting, Thackeray and other leaders urged the remaining MLAs and MLCs to put up a united show of strength, fan out into their respective constituencies, connect with their party cadres and public outreach, remain aggressive and try to put the government on the mat with burning issues like farmers distress, unemployment, inflation, water scarcity, etc. While reiterating that those who wanted to leave would not be stopped, the Thackeray father-son duo alleged that the Mahayuti was diverting public funds to ‘buy MPs’ while discarding actual governance or implementing public oriented schemes. SS(UBT) lawmakers’ roll-call The MLAs present at meeting: Aaditya Thackeray, Ajay Chaudhari, Bhaskar Jadhav, Babaji Kale, Bala Nar, Dilip Sopal, Gajanan Lavte, Harun Khan, Kailas Patil, Manoj Jamsutkar, Nitin Deshmukh, Pravin Swami, Sunil Raut, Siddharth Kharat, Sunil Prabhu and Varun Sardesai. The MLCs who attended: Anil Parab, Sachin Ahir, Milind Narvekar, Ambadas Danve and Jagannath Abhyankar. The legislators conspicuous by their absence: Rahul Patil (tied up in the Legislative Council counting); Sanjay Derkar and Sunil Shinde (both in their native places); and Sanjay Potnis whose reasons for keeping away were not immediately clear.

Bad Roads, Ugly Politics


The pathetic state of roads in Mumbai city as well as its suburbs has made daily commute a dangerous affair. The residents are miffed with the BMC over its lackadaisical attitude. Mumbaikars tweet photos, post videos to grab attention, but everything is in vain. Who cares for the common people. Backbreaking journeys have become part and parcel of life. Political leaders are busy mud-slinging.


This year the monsoon took a break after almost four and half months. During this time some of the roads virtually became non commutable. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde first announced to make Mumbai roads pothole free.


Its almost two years now the BMC has concretised only 9 percent of roads it planned to concretise. This decision was taken when it came to light that due to the properties of bitumen in asphalt roads, potholes are a regular occurrence due to contact with water during monsoons.


Hence, to solve the problem of potholes, the corporation has adopted a policy of cement concreting of 6-meter-wide roads in phases. The decision was taken but the dilly-dallying affair made things more difficult.


Mumbai’s traffic does put a lot of strain on roads which is not the case in the other developed countries. Second most important aspect is concretisation of roads is done partly and in phases.


The worst problem which is faced is repeated digging for cables and drainage, which weakens the roads. Above all corruption in BMC makes matters worse as a result everything comes to grinding halt.


According to experts, repairing potholes is a reaction with symptomatic treatment. By and large we are dispensing superficial treatment without addressing the root cause. The long-term solution will be to have roads with no potholes but what we need is the means and technology to achieve this. But for this political will is necessary which we lack on every step.


Mumbaikar’s are convience that corruption in the municipal corporation is the main reason. Contractors have had a monopoly over the last 20 years and this is the reason why reputed companies never come ahead for these projects.


As a result, in the name of attendance and repair, the BMC does shoddy work. Crores are spent but the end result is nothing. The BMC is not paying attention to the crust. If the crust is weak, potholes will see an increase. Without any thought or technical know-how, potholes are filled with cold mix.


This is the reason why the city and suburbs continue to have craters on the roads.


Craters, a serious threat to the safety and security of people. Mumbaikars fade up from their repeated visits to orthopedic surgeons.


They are in a mood to teach a proper lesson to those who were at the helm of the affairs.

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