Shiv Sena to oppose 'Smart City' if urban autonomy not safeguarded: Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Dismissing suggestions of Shiv Sena softening its stand on the flagship 'Smart City' scheme, party president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said that the ruling alliance partner would continue to oppose the scheme if its views on safeguarding the autonomy of the urban civic bodies are not incorporated in the proposal.

Reiterating Sena's reservations about the 'Smart City' proposal, Thackeray said even the BJP, with which it shares power in Maharashtra, would not like to see Mumbai coming under the Central rule.

The autonomy of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipalities in the state should stay, he told reporters in Mumbai.

"If Shiv Sena's suggestions are not incorporated, the party will oppose the smart city scheme," Thackeray said.

The Sena had in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Monday alleged that the Mumbai smart city project is a ploy by the Centre to convert the capital of Maharashtra into a Union Territory and create a parallel administration.

It said the proposed special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the smart city project, with equal contribution of funds by the state government and the BMC, would have control on the functioning of the civic body.

Uddhav also said that his party is firm on the demand of resignation of Maharashtra Advocate General Shreehari Aney for advocating statehood to Vidarbha while holding a constitutional post.

"The issue is not yet closed," he said.

Aney had earlier called for a referendum on the issue of Vidarbha state. He had expressed confidence that the referendum would be "in favour" of a separate state.