Lodha had earlier accused Shaikh of blocking anti-encroachment drives in Malwani and helping illegal occupants, and had written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner seeking action. Pics/Shadab Khan
On Saturday, Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad accused the BJP of trying to polarise voters on communal lines ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. She alleged that the party was targeting Shaikh to protect real estate interests
Gaikwad had said, “Mumbai is not owned by the rich from the BJP,” as she levelled allegations against Lodha related to redevelopment projects
She described Aslam Shaikh as the “voice of the poor in Malwani” and said he promoted the “Malwani pattern” of communal harmony, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists live peacefully together
At a press conference on Saturday, Gaikwad claimed that Satam was “maligning and threatening” Shaikh to shield minister and developer Lodha
Lodha has repeatedly spoken about the presence of Rohingyas and allegedly infiltrated Bangladeshis in Mumbai, especially in the Malwani area, and has been actively leading a continued campaign against illegal constructions there
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