Sena-BJP criticise PM for not meeting them during Mumbai visit

Mumbai, Feb 9 (UNI) Shiv Sena-BJP criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not meeting their leaders during his brief visit to the Metropolis today, saying he was not serious about the problems and development of the city.

Shiv Sena spokesman Subhash Desai said in a statement that a request was made to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for an appointment to discuss different issues concerning Mumbai with Dr Singh.

'The request letter was sent through the Mumbai Mayor's office and the PMO informed that the appointment would be fixed on February 7. But, with postponement of the inauguration of the renovated Bhau Daji Lad museum, the appointment was also cancelled,''he added.

Expressing deep disappointment that the visit could not materialise, Mr Desai said it only shows that Dr Singh did not give importance to urgent issues concerning the problems and development of the city.

Sharing the highlights of the memorandum which was to be presented to Dr Singh Mr Desai said the Sena-BJP had demanded that the Metro Rail in Mumbai be implemented by the government and not private parties. ''If the Delhi Metro is being run by the government, why private parties be allowed here. It would result in increased ticket rates,''he added.

Similarly, the Saffron combine has demanded that the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, which was announced by SS-BJP when in power, be implemented and the cut off date of regularisation be restricted to the year 1995. The saffron combine has also demanded a new land use policy for Mumbai where available land is made accessible to the common man for housing purpose.

Mr Desai said the memorandum also highlights that the state government is attempting to weaken the autonomy of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by iniating infrastructure development works under Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) which is headed by the Chief MInister. ''BMC is not taken into consideration on important decisions of the MMRDA and due to the lack of co-ordination between the two agencies, it is the people who suffer and the deluge of 2005 was an glaring example.

The memorandum is signed by Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, former Lok Sabha Speaker and party spokesman Manohar Joshi, Subhash Desai, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Ramdas Kadam, Sanjay Raut, Mayor Datta Dalvi, Deputy Mayor Ramesh Medhekar and BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde.

UNI