Control over Mumbai should remain with state govt: Shiv Sena

MUMBAI: As the Shiv Sena cautioned Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over his suggestion of a highlevel committee for Mumbai’s development, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday said the control over the city should lie with the state government.

“There is no doubt that Mumbai should develop, but we have to ensure that the remedy does not turn out to be more dangerous than the illness itself. The Shiv Sena believes that Mumbai will not be separated from Maharashtra and the control of the city will only lie with the state government,” the Shiv Sena, which recently joined the BJP-led state government, said in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

While addressing a high-level meeting of chief ministers recently convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a substitute for the planning commission, Fadnavis had suggested to the Centre that a high-level committee headed by Modi be set up for the development of the city.

Meanwhile, in Nagpur, Fadnavis attacked the Sena for criticising his suggestion of a high-level committee adding that politicising the issue would amount to playing with the city’s development cause.

Fadnavis said his intention was to ensure that the Centre DEVENDRA FADNAVIS, Maharashtra chief minister

gives its approval for development projects without making files bite dust for years.

“There are projects lying with the Centre for 30 years, awaiting an approval. That is why I requested Modi ji, that if there is a committee under his leadership, bureaucrats will ensure speedy approvals. Why should there be a controversy on this? If I am requesting the PM to fast track Mumbai’s projects, there is no scope for a controversy,” Fadnavis said.