Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's spokesperson and former MP Sanjay Nirupam on Monday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray of creating an uproar on the issue of Dharavi redevelopment merely for financial gains.
Nirupam demanded that Uddhav swear on (Sena founder) Bal Thackeray's name and declare whether he had received funds from industrialist Gautam Adani.
Speaking at a press conference at Balasaheb Bhavan in Mumbai, Nirupam said that in January 2019, during the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government, Adani's tender for Dharavi's redevelopment was rejected while Seclink Company won the tender. However, due to technical difficulties, Seclink withdrew from the project. In 2020, the Uddhav-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government cancelled the Seclink tender, paving the way for the Adani Group.
Nirupam questioned whether this decision was influenced by external pressures, possibly from NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar and his relationship with Adani.
Nirupam’s allegations came a week after Uddhav demanded cancellation of Dharavi redevelopment tender and stressed that his party would not allow Mumbai to become an ‘Adani City’.
Nirupam, however, stated that the tender terms for Dharavi's redevelopment remained unchanged under the current coalition government. He accused the Sena (UBT) of opposing the project without any substantial reason.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced plans to provide housing to both eligible and ineligible residents of Dharavi for the welfare of slum dwellers. Nirupam pointed out that Sena (UBT)'s protests in December 2023 and again in July 2024 seemed to be a reaction to this decision. He questioned Uddhav's silence over the past six months, suggesting that the protests might be a strategy to secure election donations.
Nirupam also claimed that Sena (UBT) is engaging in selfish politics aimed at derailing the dreams of Dharavi's slum dwellers.
He then challenged Uddhav to take an oath in late Balasaheb's name and declare whether he took money from Adani.
