BJP takes on ally Sena at civic meet

MUMBAI: BJP city unit president Raj K Purohit and his party colleagues criticized many Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) policies at a meeting with civic chief Sitaram Kunte on Tuesday.
Dilip Patel (BJP) said, "In a democracy, each party is entitled to its views. Our corporators too have a right to express their views."
With roads being a key issue discussed on Tuesday, Purohit told TOI, "Despite being one of the richest civic bodies, Mumbai's streets are in a sorry state.The civic body spends large sums on advanced technology to track potholes, but if the commissioner himself undertakes a survey, he will do a better job." Rahul Shewale (Shiv Sena), chairman of the civic standing committee, had played a pivotal role in the introduction of the technology. Kunte promised to visit the trouble spots.
The BJP also flayed the BMC for the 10% water cut. Kunte said they would take a call on cloud-seeding in four to five days. BJP corporators also complained of an increase in dengue and malaria cases.
Meanwhile, Kunte ordered an audit of trees cut for development projects and for building residential complexes. Ameet Satam (BJP) had protested against the move to allow a developer to chop down 481 trees in Goregaon (E).
Deputy mayor Mohan Mithbaokar said the builder had cut trees before he got permission.