Give Mumbaikars water first, penguins later: Kishori Pednekar hits out at ruling parties

A political exchange of charges is under way in Mumbai over the issue of bringing in penguins. In this context, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar has criticised the ruling parties.

According to Pednekar, the idea of bringing penguins was Aaditya Thackeray's. She said that the people who opposed it at the time are now trying to take credit for it. She also said that, at present, giving water to Mumbaikars should take priority over bringing in penguins.

Pednekar said the number of penguins has now risen to 25. There is talk of sending some pairs to Mysuru, and it is also understood that some officials have visited for the purpose. She also said she is hearing that giraffes and lions will be brought to Mumbai instead.

Pednekar said the same people had made a big political issue of it when the penguins were brought to Mumbai. She said criticism was made even after one penguin died. Today, however, she said, these very penguins have become a source of entertainment for Mumbaikars and are also adding substantially to the city's coffers. She made it clear that the exchange of animals and birds is nothing new.

Pednekar drew attention to the water shortage Mumbai is facing. She said the administration and the ruling parties do not appear to be paying attention to this problem, which arose after Diwali, and that issues of civic amenities are not being discussed either. Saying "We are not opposed to bringing birds, but this is not the time for it," she said Mumbaikars are now in distress over water. She expressed displeasure, saying that for them water matters more than penguins.

Pednekar also referred to the situation in the municipal corporation. For about four and a half to four and three-quarter years, the Mumbai municipal corporation had no elected house of corporators. Corporators have now been elected and a mayor has taken office. At such a time, she criticised, instead of attending to Mumbaikars' basic problems, the talk is of subjects such as "bring CA, bring penguins".

Pednekar said the penguin concept was Aaditya Thackeray's and it proved so successful that it now has to be acknowledged. But this is not the time to parade around taking credit for it, she said. She taunted the ruling parties, asking them to first express concern over Mumbaikars' water problem.

Pednekar said the ruling parties should also speak on Mumbaikars' health, rising pollution and civic problems. She said air, water, noise and visual pollution are increasing in Mumbai. She also criticised that pollution has crept into politics as well, and that these important issues are being ignored.