BMC Elections 2022: Sanjay Raut claims that the BJP is plotting to declare Mumbai a Union Territory

In a move to reach out to traditional Marathi-speaking voters ahead of the BMC polls, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of scheming to make Mumbai a Union Territory on Friday, claiming that a presentation to that effect had been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Several party leaders, builders, and merchants, according to Raut, were involved in the plot. Raut's charges against the BJP come days after his properties were seized by the Enforcement Directorate, and he has been blaming the BJP-led administration for allegedly misusing central probe agencies against Maha Vikas Aghadi officials in the state.

 

"This committee made a presentation to the MHA for making Mumbai a Union Territory. Meetings have taken place, and funds have been raised for this purpose. This has been going on for the past two months, and I am fully responsible for it. I have evidence to back up what I'm stating. Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister, is also aware of the situation "Raut said.

 

A group of BJP leaders is expected to file a lawsuit in the coming months, claiming that the percentage of Marathi people in Mumbai, Maharashtra's capital, has dropped dramatically and that the city should be declared a union territory under central government administration, according to Raut.

 

Few BJP politicians, according to Raut, had previously questioned the state government's decision to make Marathi a compulsory language in schools. Shiv Sena suspects the BJP's plot to carve out Mumbai as a Union Territory, lowering its prominence as the country's financial and commercial hub. The assertion by Raut and the Shiv Sena is not new; in 2014, they slammed former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's decision to welcome investors and businessmen to Gujarat while encouraging them to think beyond Mumbai. Following that, the Shiv Sena slammed the Centre's decision to award GIFT City all the benefits of being an international money centre rather than Mumbai.

 

 

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