Dharavi project protest: Not anti-development but my govt was not pro-builder, says Uddhav

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he wasn't anti-development and dared the ruling BJP to show one pro-builder decision taken during the MVA regime that he headed.

Addressing a well-attended protest against the Dharavi redevelopment project being helmed by the Adani group, Thackeray also refuted allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party that the tender for it was issued during his chief ministership.

"The allegation is false. Show me one such GR," he said.

Thackeray said his government fell due to treachery because he was not pro-builder.

"Now one can understand who financed the toppling of my government. With the Shiv Sena around, the BJP could not help its friends, so my party was broken and its symbol was stolen," Thackeray claimed without taking names.

Dharavi fought the COVID pandemic and will not surrender before any builder, Thackeray said.

He alleged the redevelopment project involves TDR irregularities worth more than Rs 100 crore, which is the "biggest scam in the world".

"If we did not differentiate between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries while fighting COVID in Dharavi, how can this condition be applied when it comes to redevelopment," he asked.

Dharavi is among the densest urban sprawls in the world and received praise for the way the people and civic authorities of the area tackled COVID-19 and brought the pandemic in control.

Addressing the gathering, he said, "You stole my party symbol but how can you take away the trust and support I enjoy among people." Thackeray said people of Dharavi should get 500 square feet homes and also be given facilities to carry on business at the existing spots.

"Police personnel, conservancy workers, mill workers should also get homes in Dharavi (post redevelopment)," Thackeray said.

There must be a financial centre in the area, he said, adding the redevelopment of the area should be carried out by the government.

Incidentally, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, on Friday, said the tender as well as TDR details of the project were finalised by the Thackeray government, which was in power between November 2019 and June 2022.

Shelar had also asked why the MVA government did not stipulate that residents should get 500 square feet homes post redevelopment.

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who is also Dharavi MLA, attended the protest march that took place between Kalangar and Bandra Kurla Complex, where the Adani group has an office.