Maharashtra Elections: Aaditya Thackeray Promises 500-square-foot Houses For Dharavi Residents If MVA Wins

On Sunday, Aaditya Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), made a significant promise to the residents of Dharavi, a densely populated area in Mumbai.

Speaking at the Mumbai Rakshan Sabha, Thackeray assured that if the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wins the upcoming assembly elections, they would cancel the current tender for Dharavi's redevelopment and ensure that residents receive 500-square-foot houses within the same locality.

Photo Credit: PTI

Thackeray addressed the gathering with a strong message, stating that residents might face intimidation and financial temptations to vacate their homes. He urged them to stand firm and fight for their rights, criticising the Eknath Shinde-led state government for allegedly making Dharavi's residents homeless and transferring their land to the Adani group.

According to Thackeray, the state government has approved the transfer of 20 land parcels in Mumbai, totalling 1,062 acres, to the Adani group under the pretext of redeveloping Dharavi.

He accused the government of prioritising the interests of Adani and contractors, suggesting that plans are underway to relocate slum dwellers to less suitable areas such as salt pan lands in Kanjurmarg, Mulund, and other locations.

In his promise, Thackeray stated, "Once elected to power in November, we will scrap the Dharavi redevelopment tender if necessary and provide 500-square-foot houses within the same locality. We will not allow the displacement of Dharavi's residents."

The Adani group has declined to respond to these political allegations.

Thackeray also criticised the Shinde government's handling of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), highlighting a Rs two lakh crore deficit. He claimed that the BMC had a surplus of Rs 92,000 crore when Shiv Sena (UBT) last governed it in 2022, but now faces severe financial troubles.

Thackeray alleged that the government's actions have resulted in a ₹600-crore scam in road repairs over the past two years and warned that continued mismanagement could jeopardise the BMC's ability to pay its staff, pensions, and gratuities.

Additionally, Thackeray accused the government of transferring a land plot behind the Mumbadevi temple in south Mumbai to a Nagpur-based contractor as part of the temple's redevelopment plan.

As the assembly elections approach, Thackeray's promises and criticisms aim to sway public opinion and rally support for the MVA.