BJP ‘hijacks’ Swachh Abhiyan

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started preparing for the Swachh Survekshan (cleanliness survey) under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by painting ‘clean city’ messages on compound walls across the city. 

The BJP-ruled PMC has, however, slyly combined it with poll preparation as well, as they are promoting their work and corporators under the same banner. 

Now, it has been revealed that BJP corporators are using party symbol in Swachh Abhiyan message. In Shaniwar Peth ward, which represent four BJP corporators- Mayor Mukta Tilak, Hemant Rasane, Rajesh Yenpure and Gayatri Khadake, BJP’s symbol has been painted on compound walls of buildings and row houses.

Dnyaneshwar Molak, Head of Solid Waste Management Department said, “I am not aware of this. I will take information from concerned officers of that ward office. We will remove the symbol. It is not permissible to paint any party symbol on a government initiative.” 

Tilak, Rasane and Yenpure didn’t answer phone calls from Sakal Times, whereas Khadke sought to stall by saying that she will talk later as she was busy. 

Shrinath Bhimale, leader of house and BJP city chief Yogesh Gogawale were not also available for comment. 

On the other hand, Dilip Barate, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator and opposition leader in PMC said, “The PMC is using public money to campaign for BJP and this should be stopped. Earlier, one of the corporators also did same thing in Hingne. We registered complaints with the ward officer and they removed the symbol.” 

PMC REMOVES BJP SYMBOL IN HINGNE
In last month, BJP symbols were painted on the walls in Hingne. The PMC is making an alternative road for Sinhagad Road along the canal in Hingne. However, the BJP symbols vanished after some days when locals pointed it out. 

Suncity-Hingne Khurd ward is representing four BJP corporators- Prasanna Jagtap, Jyoti Gosavi, Shrikant Jagtap and Manjusha Nagpure. 

THE BACKGROUND
- PMC started the initiative to paint walls and place flexes about the importance of cleanliness. 
- The Solid Waste Management department has also appealed to various social organisations and private institutes to participate in painting the walls in the city. 
- The PMC is providing colours and necessary equipment for painting. 
- Corporators have come forward as willing participants and are using ward development funds for painting walls in their ward areas.