Mumbai: A presentation made by the civic
commissioner to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan
regarding a proposed coastal road in Mumbai violated the
election code of conduct, BJP said on Wednesday.
The party filed a complaint with the State Election
Commission (SEC) alleging violation of the code by Chavan.
Mumbai BJP President Raj Purohit said details of the
presentation made to the CM yesterday amounted to violation of
the code of conduct, which is in force in view of the February
16 civic polls in the metropolis.
Municipal Commissioner Subodh Kumar, in his
presentation, had said the road will be 35km long and
constructed at an expense of Rs 8000 crore.
State BJP Spokesman Madhav Bhandari said the issue of
coastal road is in public discussion for three years.
"The Centre had alloted funds to conduct a feasibility
study. However, the State Government did not do anything. Now
with an eye on elections, the Chief Minister and Subodh Kumar
have suddenly remembered the project. Is Subodh Kumar an IAS
officer or a Congress worker?" Bhandari asked.
"We told the commission that the statement by Chavan,
that he has sanctioned Rs 9,000 crore for the project, is a
violation of the poll code," Purohit said.
"Chavan can`t make such an announcement when the code
of conduct is in force," Purohit said. "We have been assured
that the commission will look into the issue."
The coastal road will start from Nariman Point, in
South Mumbai, and go up to Kandivali in the western suburbs.
PTI
