BJP and Shiv Sena clash over credit for Ulhasnagar metro and Shahad bridge

The political tussle between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over credit for development work in Ulhasnagar has intensified again. Residents received the gift of a metro before Diwali. Now a fight for credit has begun over the proposed Shahad bridge on the Kalyan-Murbad Road as well. Leaders of both parties are accusing each other over the proposed bridge, which is estimated to cost around Rs 350 crore. The dispute also surfaced at a Dhanteras event.

BJP MLA Kumar Ailani showed a video of a speech by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. In that speech, Fadnavis had promised at a public meeting to give Ulhasnagar a metro. On the basis of the video, Ailani claimed that it was the BJP that pursued the metro and Shahad bridge work. According to him, the BJP made efforts for these two important projects, which is why they are moving ahead. Shiv Sena leaders objected to the claim and targeted the BJP.

In reply, Shiv Sena leaders credited MP Shrikant Shinde for the metro and Shahad bridge work. The Shiv Sena said development work is not done merely by showing papers, and that it has to be pursued on the ground. The party claims that the metro and Shahad bridge projects are moving ahead only because of the efforts of Shrikant Shinde. Sena leaders also said the BJP may take credit for work it has done, but should not try to take credit for work done by others.

MLA Kumar Ailani alleged that a particular group plays a role behind the disputes that arise between the BJP and the Shiv Sena in Ulhasnagar, and that this has further sharpened the political tussle. On the other side, Kamlesh Nikam, a Shiv Sena leader and husband of Shiv Sena Mayor Ashwini Nikam, also criticised the BJP MLA's claims. The atmosphere in the city between the two parties over development work is thus heated.

On the occasion of Dhanteras, the Shiv Sena launched the Smt. Jyoti Kalani Ladki Vidyarthini Yojana for schoolgirls. At the launch event of this scheme, leaders of the BJP and the Shiv Sena were seen trading charges and counter-charges. As the argument over credit for development work broke out at an event meant for schoolgirls, the attention of those present also turned to the confrontation.

Both the metro and the Shahad bridge are considered important for Ulhasnagar in terms of traffic and basic infrastructure. The metro is expected to speed up the city's public transport, while the Shahad bridge could help ease traffic problems on the Kalyan-Murbad route. For now, the contest is more about who gets the credit than about work on the projects. Residents of Ulhasnagar are waiting to see when they will get the real benefit of the development work.