Shiv Sena & NCP pledge Tapovan tree cover in poll run-up, leave ally BJP in the cold

Nashik: The proposed felling of trees at Tapovan in Nashik to develop sadhugram ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela has snowballed into a political flashpoint before the Jan 15 Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) election, putting BJP — contesting the poll independently — on the defensive as its Mahayuti allies (Shiv Sena and NCP) and opposition parties rallied behind activists opposing the move.Environmental groups have intensified their campaign against the NMC plan to fell trees, calling on all candidates to publicly clarify their stance on the issue. So far, 13 candidates, including eight from Shiv Sena (UBT) and two from NCP (SP), have submitted affidavits pledging to oppose the cutting of trees. The activists said they planned to release a final list of candidates supporting the cause ahead of polling day."We appeal to all candidates to clearly state their position on the issue. More affidavits are expected in the coming days," Rohan Deshpande, an activist spearheading the campaign to save the trees, said.BJP state spokesperson Laxman Savji told TOI that environmental concerns should not be politicised, emphasising that trees did not belong to any political party. He clarified that no large trees would be felled, saying only shrubs or small, non-native species would be transplanted to other locations. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis work tirelessly year-round, and any decision taken by the chief minister is guided by a long-term vision," he said.Savji alleged that parties raising the issue were doing so for political gain ahead of the NMC election. "These parties have no genuine concern for the environment and are merely attempting to stay politically relevant. Further, they lack substantive points on development," he said, adding that the issue was entirely politically motivated and would have no impact on BJP's performance in the civic poll.During a recent visit to Nashik, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray urged voters not to support candidates backing the tree-felling proposal. He also instructed his party's NMC candidates to submit affidavits opposing the move. "Development cannot come at the cost of destroying nature," Thackeray said.Adding to BJP's woes, senior politicians from within the BJP-led alliance have expressed opposition to the move. State education minister Dada Bhuse, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde all took a firm stand against the proposal. "If preparations for the Kumbh Mela are required, they must be carried out without cutting the trees," Shinde told reporters in Nashik on Wednesday.Echoing similar sentiments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, during his recent visit to Nashik, said, "We oppose the felling of trees for corporate interests. Tapovan's green patch must be preserved."Initially, Kumbh Mela minister Girish Mahajan had defended the plan, saying the trees obstructing sadhugram development would be removed. Amid growing protests, Mahajan later softened his stance, assuring that the trees planted over the past six to seven years would be transplanted elsewhere instead of being cut down.