Mhaske, a former Thane mayor, highlighted alleged discrepancies in procurements during the pandemic when the Uddhav Thackeray government (November 2019-June 2022) was in office in Maharashtra
Naresh Mhaske. Pic/X
Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske on Tuesday launched a broadside against the rival Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing its leaders of corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic and lacking the moral standing to criticize Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Talking to reporters at Anand Ashram in Thane, Mhaske, a former Thane mayor, highlighted alleged discrepancies in procurements during the pandemic when the Uddhav Thackeray government (November 2019-June 2022) was in office in Maharashtra.
"When I was mayor, the Thane Municipal Corporation procured body bags at Rs 350 each. But the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership bought the same bags for Rs 7,000 a piece. Why the drastic difference?" he questioned.
The Lok Sabha MP from Thane also spoke about the "khichdi scam" and "Patra scam" during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rule and the alleged involvement of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders in them.
Those with such tainted backgrounds have no right to speak against Shinde, who heads the ruling Shiv Sena, he insisted.
Mhaske claimed that during the MVA government's tenure, Eknath Shinde, then-Urban Development Minister, was deliberately sidelined from Mumbai's planning.
“When asked about Shinde’s exclusion, Sanjay Raut reportedly said, ‘The BMC is under the Thackeray family’s control. All decisions will be made by them and their associates. Tell Eknath Shinde not to interfere,’” Mhaske alleged.
He accused Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut of disrespecting the late Anand Dighe, a stalwart of the undivided Shiv Sena in Thane who was a mentor of the Deputy Chief Minister.
Mhaske emphasised the Shiv Sena's national recognition under Eknath Shinde's leadership, citing party MP from Kalyan Shrikant Shinde's role in leading a cross-party delegation abroad as part of the Centre's Operation Sindoor's global outreach.
Mhaske said, “Balasaheb even remarked that Sanjay Raut now speaks in the language of Pakistan. If I were in his place, I would have welcomed Prime Minister Modi to Mumbai and honoured him for the success of Operation Sindoor. Instead, our own leaders are echoing anti-national sentiments. Balasaheb said such people deserve to be shown the door by the citizens of this country.”
In stark contrast, Raut and his associates "remain outside the gates of power, with no relevance or role", he added.
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