Congress, BJP to take on Sena over illegal construction issue

THANE: The BJP has found an unusual ally in the Congress to take on the ruling Shiv Sena over the issue of sprawling illegal constructions in the Thane municipal house as the parties have decided to corner the Sena during the general body meeting.
BJP group leader Manohar Dumbre has written to Mayor Naresh Mhaske seeking his intervention in the issue of illegal constructions in the city. “There are so many structures coming up in the city and the administration seems to be doing precious little to keep checks on them. Almost every ward in the city is plagued with this problem which often deprives the honest tax paying citizen of his rightful access to amenities,” he said requesting a discussion on the issue.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Vikrant Chavan along with party colleagues also staged a protest outside the municipal headquarters, Monday, demanding action against those officers responsible for the illegal structures’ menace. “The city infrastructure is suffering due to the unnecessary load of these illegal units. The corporation spends the taxpayers’ money in flattening these structures regularly. It is high time, the concerned officials are taken to task,” he said.
The issue that could have been discussed during the general body scheduled Monday is now deferred as the meet was postponed due to the heavy downpour.