Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 9: Signs of friction have emerged within the ruling Mahayuti Alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), after allegations of coordination lapses surfaced between Shiv Sena and BJP representatives during ongoing monsoon preparedness inspections across the city.

Deputy mayor and Shiv Sena corporator Sanjay Ghadi accused BJP leaders, including mayor Ritu Tawde, of excluding Shiv Sena members from recent drain-cleaning and monsoon readiness inspection visits. However, Tawde denied any internal dispute, stating that inspections are being carried out independently to ensure faster monitoring of civic works.

Speaking during a nullah inspection at Safed Phul in Saki Naka on Thursday, Ghadi said he and other Shiv Sena corporators were not informed about inspection tours conducted by the mayor. He claimed that better coordination could have improved the efficiency of desilting operations.

Ghadi said the inspections were important ahead of the monsoon season and stressed that all drain-cleaning work must be completed by May 31. He also noted that he had personally informed the mayor about his own inspection visit.

Responding to the allegations, mayor Ritu Tawde said there was no question of exclusion or sidelining within the administration. She argued that elected representatives are not required to conduct joint inspections and that the municipal administration should act promptly on instructions issued by any officeholder, whether the mayor or deputy mayor.

She further emphasised that independent inspections by different officials help speed up oversight and improve accountability in civic works.

This is not the first instance of disagreement within the Mahayuti alliance in the BMC. Ghadi also referred to a previous controversy during the inauguration of the Clean Mumbai League event attended by actor Akshay Kumar, where he alleged that protocol regarding his seating arrangement as deputy mayor was not properly followed.

Meanwhile, in Dahisar (East), Shiv Sena corporator Diksha Karkar was seen descending into a 10-foot-deep drain in the Manav Kalyan area to personally inspect desilting work, highlighting on-ground monitoring efforts by civic representatives.

On Friday, BJP leaders, led by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, are scheduled to carry out a separate nullah inspection drive in the western suburbs, according to BJP functionary Ganesh Khankar.