Kiran Pawaskar, the Shiv Sena’s secretary and spokesman, has criticized Sena (UBT) for asserting that the government used the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) action in the Covid-19 Jumbo Center case as a ploy to quiet them before to their July 1 protest march.
Given the way the Opposition has pillaged the BMC for the last 24 years, Pawaskar said that the public also backed the investigation. “They have solely plagiarized the BMC for the last 24 years. Even though they had been in charge for so long, the city’s infrastructure was deteriorating. These guys were dishonestly profiting off of dead corpses even during Covid-19, when people were dying and fighting for access to medications. And now, while an investigation is being done, they are claiming that it is being done for political reasons. So you think no one should interrogate you while you continue to plunder the populace? Pawaskar stated.
He continued by saying that the demonstration on July 1 is a PR stunt and eye-wash. Will they deliver their message to the BMC’s watchman on July 1, a Saturday, and then come back? Pawaskar stated.
The’mastermind’ of the scams—Aaditya Thackeray—will be found if the investigation is properly done, according to Pawaskar, who was speaking about the ED searches on government employees and aides of Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut.
Who is Suraj Chavan, exactly? How has he accumulated such money even though for so many years he was not required to pay income tax? For whom was he securing the funds? They will find Aaditya Thackeray after all of these things are investigated, according to Pawaskar.
Regarding Uddhav Thackeray’s assertion that BMC’s fixed deposits are being violated, Pawaskar said that the funds are being utilized to provide Mumbai with the development it merits.
“We are utilizing the funds to build dependable roads for the people. How did they act? Sujit Patkar received contracts for establishing a Jumbo Covid Center. What qualifications does he have other than being Sanjay Raut’s friend? Why such arbitrary choices shouldn’t be called into question? Pawaskar questioned.
According to Pawaskar, the BMC demolished the unlawful Shiv Sena Shakha building in Bandra East because it was the base for a variety of illicit operations. “Only a few people were there as the building was being destroyed, in complete contrast to the influence Shakhas had while Balasaheb was present. This is the current state of their party, according to Pawaskar.
Pawaskar also criticized the BMC harshly for robbing people during the crisis. “BMC charged Rs 6,719 during the coronavirus outbreak for a body bag that is typically sold for around Rs 800. The bags cost $51, which is around Rs 3,900, even in the USA. Remdesivir vial dosages were also purchased by BMC for Rs 1,568 each. Haffkine Institute has, however, increased the charge by Rs. 665 per vial. Additionally, they added Rs 207 to the price of the PPE kits, which they purchased up to 5,000 every day, the guy said.
“This is the level they stoop to? ” Pawaskar said. While many were scrambling to get necessities, they were padding their bank accounts. They claim we are abusing agencies while running a gang under the guise of a political party. If so, even the military ought to be employed against them. I beg and plead with the central authorities to punish anyone found guilty harshly.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was specifically mandated by the Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde in October 2022 to look into financial irregularities in the BMC that totaled Rs 12,024 crore between November 28, 2019, and February 28, 2022. Vivek Phansalkar, the commissioner of the Mumbai Police, and Nishit Mishra, the joint commissioner of the Economic Offence Wing (EOW), among other top police personnel, will lead the SIT investigation.