BJP conspiring to make Mumbai a UT, says Raut

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday alleged that efforts were on to make Mumbai a Union Territory (UT) and “bring in Centre’s rule in the city”. Raut further alleged that former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kirit Somaiya and a group of party leaders, builders, and businessmen were part of this “conspiracy”.

“Kirit Somaiya is a part of a conspiracy to make Mumbai a Union Territory. These people have made a presentation to the union home ministry. Some BJP leaders, their financiers and developers from Mumbai are being led by Somaiya on how to make Mumbai a UT. Five people from BJP have prepared this presentation. They want to remove Marathi Manoos’ rights on Mumbai and bring in Centre’s rule in the city,” Raut alleged on Friday.

The fresh allegation comes amid a bitter tussle between the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra and the BJP ahead of the crucial elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other urban local bodies.

The Sena MP said the Somaiya-led group is also likely to move court over the matter, citSwabhimani ing a decline in the percentage of Marathi people in Mumbai.

The formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960 was on a linguistic basis.

“Over the last two months, I have been tracking his (Somaiya’s) movements and this presentation has happened. In the coming days, they can go to court saying the Marathi population is reducing in Mumbai. Many such points are in the presentation. I am a lawmaker and I speak responsibly,” he said.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Narayan Rane dismissed the claims. “The Sena floats such rumours to play the ‘Marathi Pride’ card to gain sympathy whenever they are in trouble. There is no iota of truth in the claim. How can one even think when we are there (at the Centre)? This is nothing but the rumours being spread by Raut since action has been initiated against him,” he said.

HT FILE PHOTO Sanjay Raut of Sena.