BJP, Shiv Sena bicker again as Aaditya Thackeray takes all credit for reviving Mumbai's night life

MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena are bickering once again — this time, over Sena youth leader Aaditya Thackeray’s plan to keep the Maximum City ticking all night by keeping its bars, pubs and restaurants open 24/7.

But BJP isn’t amused, especially because Thackeray is trying to take all credit for reviving Mumbai’s famed night life. The party has now said that a detailed study will be undertaken before the proposal is cleared.

“We will have to study the subject in detail and decide which facilities will be given extension to operate through the night. The Cabinet will discuss and study the proposal, and only then will the state clear this,” CM Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday. Thackeray had proposed that Mumbai’s restaurants, bars and pubs along with certain malls should be allowed to operate 24/7 so that tourists and night shift workers at places like airports and call centres can avail of such facilities in the night. Mumbai’s Police Commissioner and BMC administration recently issued orders clearing the plan. Thackeray then went on an overdrive on social media, trying to run away with the credit.

BJP’s Mumbai city President Ashish Shelar also expressed concern over the demand to extend the city’s night life. “What’s important is finding ways to improve the living conditions of the common man. Even pav bhaji and wada pav stalls should be allowed to stay open through the night,” Shelar said in his tweet.

BJP appears determined not to allow Sena get any credit from this initiative. Some BJP insiders said the party might go to the extent of stalling the scheme.