Shiv Sena questions BJP's timing to raise corruption in BMC

Mumbai: Shiv Sena today hit out at BJP over its timing to question "corruption" in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and accused its senior ruling partner of trying to gain "undue political benefits" by demanding probe into various civic projects in view of 2017 civic elections.

"The BJP today speaks about corruption in BMC. But why did they not make these allegations in last 20 years (BJP and Sena are in power in BMC). They have found their voice and the need to speak after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls," Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told reporters here.

Taking aim at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, she said if the BJP in Delhi holds Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responsible for everything that happens there, why should the civic corporation be held responsible for Mumbai.

"Why apply double standards? If you hold the CM responsible there (in Delhi), make Maharashtra CM responsible for Mumbai's affairs too," Gorhe said, adding that only the Sena corporators in BMC are being held responsible for the irregularities.

The Sena leader said the Congress and NCP didn't find any wrongdoings in BMC when they were in power prior to 2014.

"Congress leaders held UDD (Urband Development Department) portfolios. If they found something wrong then, would they not have initiated an inquiry? Why demands for inquiry now? This is all being done for political benefits. Their agenda is to call for enquiries after alleging corruption and gain undue benefits (in the upcoming BMC polls)," Gorhe alleged.

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has been targeting Sena over "corruption" and has expressed his party's resolve to end "corruption mafia" in the civic body.

BJP's Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar too has taken barbs at Sena, drawing pointed reactions from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.