Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 21: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah came down heavily on the opposition for its criticism of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, accusing the Congress-led UPA of neglecting Mumbai during its 2004-2014 tenure.

Speaking at the centenary celebration of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) at the YB Chavan Centre on Friday, Shah said, “Mumbai was left to its fate. I used to worry about the city's future seeing the traffic chaos, illegal slums, and crumbling infrastructure during those years.”

Earlier in the day, Shah also attended a national conference marking the International Year of Cooperatives.

Highlighting the Modi government's contribution, Shah said, “Since 2014, except for two and a half years, Devendra Fadnavis has led the government in Maharashtra and brought about tremendous development. The Modi government has allocated ?7 lakh crore for Mumbai’s infrastructure.”

He cited major projects such as the 337-km metro network worth ?1.5 lakh crore, Coastal Road, Atal Setu, Versova-Virar Sea Link, and the Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor.

Shah also rebutted the opposition's allegations on slum redevelopment and tax devolution. “They question us, but what did they do for Mumbai in ten years? Maharashtra received Rs 7.42 lac cr in tax devolution under Modi, compared to ?1.91 lakh crore during the UPA era,” he asserted.

The Union minister called for a fact-based debate and said the development record of the current government speaks for itself.