Sena dares BJP to order probe into PPP project scam

The Shiv Sena today "dared" BJP and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a probe into what the party has called a Rs 20,000-crore "scam" into the projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
"The promise of modernisation of Byculla zoo, clean up of Mithi, Oshiwara and Poisar rivers all have been allocated funds in the BMC's annual budget. I dare the CM to conduct an inquiry into the PPP projects," party's Lok Sabha MP Rahul Shewale told reporters here.
The BJP had on Tuesday in its manifesto promised that it would initiate an inquiry into projects to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore signed by the BMC under the public-private partnership (PPP) model in the last 20 years.

The inquiry will be conducted by a retired high court judge. The manifesto also assured that an Upa-Lokayukta will be appointed to address probity issues.
Countering Sena charge, Mumbai BJP manifesto committee convenor Bhalchandra Shirsat labelled Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as "Virodh Purush" (anti-development) indulging in opposing development projects.
Referring to the BJP manifesto promise of amending the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Act, 1888 to bring transparency in the civic administration, the Sena MP pointed out that the Chief Minister heading the Urban Development Department (UDD) has the powers to issue the orders to the Municipal Commissioner to this effect.

Shewale said Fadnavis has had no time to convene the coordination committee meeting between the state government and the BMC.

When asked about Sena president "reprimanding" the party's manifesto committee members over the points in BJP manifesto, the Sena MP denied that they were pulled up.
Shirsat also refuted Sena's jibe of Fadnavis being an
"inefficient" Chief Minister.
"In the last two years Fadnavis has initiated seven Metro rail projects, Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link (MTHL) and Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan," Shirsat said.
Shirsat claimed the Nariman Point-Dahisar Coastal Road project which was stuck in red-tape till 2010, was revived in 2017 by Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Labelling Fadnavis as "Vikas Purush" (man for development), he said the 'Vikas Purush' shall complete the Coastal Road project.
Accusing the Sena president of being anti-development, Shirsat said Sena has opposed the Metro 3 project, Mumbai-Delhi Industrial corridor and Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi corridor.