Nagpur, Dec 13 (NationPress) The opposition party in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT), has accused the government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, of undermining the rights and interests of the Marathi community.

According to the editorial in their official publication, Saamana, the Fadnavis-Shinde administration has diminished the status of the Marathi people to that of a 'doormat' while promoting the idea of a 'Pagdi-mukta' (Pagdi-free) Mumbai. The editorial criticizes this approach as hypocritical, asserting that the core issue in Mumbai is the denial of housing to Marathi individuals. It alleges that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis, and a few associates are the masterminds behind this situation.

It also criticized DCM Shinde for his announcement regarding the aim to make Mumbai pagadi-free through a distinct set of regulations for the redevelopment of older buildings under the pagadi system (a type of tenancy), which purportedly benefits over 19,000 such structures. Additionally, he announced an 'amnesty' for buildings lacking an Occupancy Certificate (OC), plans to redevelop chawls on mill lands, and housing for police personnel. The editorial raised concerns about the fate of the original residents of Mumbai, termed 'Marathi Manoos', amidst these plans, noting that there are around 20,000 OC-less buildings in the city.

The editorial pointed out the hypocrisy of these announcements, especially in Shinde's own Thane district, where numerous Marathi families were left homeless after many OC-less buildings were demolished without any response to their grievances.

Furthermore, it described the 'amnesty' in Mumbai as a tactic merely aimed at securing votes, highlighting that these announcements coincided with reports of flood-affected farmers in Marathwada who are allegedly not receiving aid and that 650,000 farmers are deprived of the Samman Yojana, which requires ₹5,975 crore in necessary funding. All these declarations were made shortly before municipal elections were expected to be announced.

The Thackeray faction contended that the recent declarations by CM Fadnavis and DCM Shinde were strategically timed for the upcoming elections to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies in the state, branding them as mere 'old wine in a new bottle'. The overarching strategy appears to involve using finances to influence elections and making populist announcements to mislead the populace.

It also underscored perceived discrimination against Marathi individuals in Mumbai’s housing societies, citing reports that, in areas like Mira-Bhayandar and Mumbai, some builders have displayed signs stating: 'Only Marwadi-Jain will get homes here'. Furthermore, there are claims from BJP and RSS affiliates that the primary language in Ghatkopar is Gujarati.

The Thackeray camp accused Shinde and his allies of plotting to take Mumbai away from the Marathi people and hand it over to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging vigilance among the Marathi populace. A senior minister reportedly stated during a legislative session that the BJP has a plan to divide Maharashtra, with Chief Minister Fadnavis actively working on it. The individuals who identify as 'Shivsena' (referring to the Shinde faction) have been labeled as cowardly soldiers who remain silent and neglect the state's welfare, further asserting that the moves to seize Mumbai are part of these tactics.

The Saamana editorial further stated that the Chief Minister has approved a substantial ₹32,523 crore fund for various development initiatives across the Pune Metropolitan Area, covering 220 projects. This flurry of announcements occurs despite the Chief Minister's alleged admission of an economic emergency in the state, which is burdened with approximately ₹9.5 lakh crore in debt under the Fadnavis-Shinde administration.