After allowing a prominent open area to fall into private hands, the Shiv Sena did a U-turn on Friday. The Sena wrote to the Municipal Commissioner to use his discretionary powers and bring the proposal back on the floor of the House.
A 2,000-square metre plot in Kurla West was reserved in the development plan for a playground or recreation ground. The owner had issued a purchase notice to the BMC in 2017, asking it to acquire the land within two years. It was estimated that the land owner would be paid ₹3.8 crore.
While the two years have not lapsed yet, Sena corporator Anant Nar demanded in Thursday’s general assembly that the reservation not be pursued as the land was completely encroached upon. He moved an amendment against the original proposal to pursue acquisition and it was passed by a majority. The Opposition had walked out.
“This land was reserved after the Improvement Committee took suo motu note of it. Similarly, more of such plots were reserved in my ward in Kurla. I have written to the Commissioner to prevent them from falling into private hands in the same manner,” Congress corporator Asharf Azmi said. Mr. Nar had contended that the plot is heavily encroached upon and therefore of no use to the BMC. However, the same reservation was passed by the Improvement Committee led by his fellow Sena-man Dilip Lande, he said.
On Friday, Shiv Sena said, “We accept that we went wrong. Mr. Nar moved the proposal without informing party leaders. When the proposal came up for discussion, nobody understood what was happening and it got passed. It is embarrassing. Uddhav ji has clearly told us no RG/PG reservation should ever be deleted,” Leader of the House Vishakha Raut said.
Mr. Raut has written to the Municipal Commissioner on behalf of the party. If the proposal is brought back on the floor, the reservation will be maintained.
Opposition parties have already written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter. They want the Urban Development Department to overrule the decision of the general body.