Milind Deora writes to BMC chief after being left out of Ashray housing event

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora has expressed displeasure at not being invited to a government event held on Friday in Colaba, South Mumbai. Homes were distributed to sanitation workers at the event under the 'Ashray' scheme.

Deora has written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on the matter. In the letter, he has asked why he was kept out of the event.

On Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over keys to 557 eligible residents of three rehabilitation buildings of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) BDD chawl redevelopment project. The buildings were built in the first phase of the project and are on N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.

The event was held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai. There, Chief Minister Fadnavis and other dignitaries symbolically handed the residents keys and possession of the homes. The three rehabilitation buildings are being seen as an important milestone in the redevelopment of the historic BDD chawls.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present. Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi and senior municipal officials also attended.

Deora is a Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra. He has earlier also been a two-time Lok Sabha MP from South Mumbai. Even so, he did not receive an invitation to the housing handover event.

In his letter, the MP wrote that elected representatives should be given due respect and recognition at government events, especially when the events relate to development projects in their own constituencies. Deora expressed surprise and displeasure at not being invited despite holding an elected office.

Deora has asked the BMC commissioner to ensure that the set protocol is strictly followed at future government events. He stressed that it is essential to give recognition to elected representatives at official events, and more so when such events relate to public welfare and development initiatives in their constituencies.

The letter has brought the issue of protocol and the presence of elected leaders at government events in Mumbai into discussion.