The campaign trail for the Maharashtra assembly elections is coming to an intense close today. The politics surrounding the Dharavi Project is heating up. After Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's statements, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has issued a bold statement about Adani group's Dharavi redevelopment project, associating it with BJP's ‘If there's one, then it's safe’ slogan.
When Aaj Tak correspondent Sahil Joshi asked Rahul Gandhi whether the Dharavi project tender would be canceled if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comes to power in Maharashtra, Gandhi expressed support for Uddhav Thackeray’s declaration. Just a day before, Uddhav Thackeray stated that if the MVA was in power, they would terminate the Dharavi project tender in the first cabinet meeting.
At an MVA rally, Uddhav Thackeray announced that his government, upon formation, would make its inaugural decision regarding the Dharavi project. He declared that Gautam Adani group's tender would be scrapped. Is the Congress and UBT in accord with this stance?
Rahul Gandhi responded, ‘It's simple; our government will protect the rights of the people of Maharashtra. What is happening in Dharavi goes against the sentiments of Maharashtra’s citizens. This project undermines the interests of Mumbai's populace. We stand together to safeguard the interests of Maharashtra, Mumbai, and Dharavi residents. Hence, I support what Uddhavji has said.’
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has persistently criticized Adani group's involvement in the Dharavi redevelopment initiative. In an interview with Aaj Tak, he questioned, ‘Why should I stand with Adani?’ Thackeray remarked that if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comes to power, the tender granted to Adani for Dharavi's redevelopment would be revoked. Even during his previous tenure, Adani's tender was annulled due to an undisclosed investor issue (specifically with a Dubai-based company). It was resolved that such proceedings wouldn't work, resulting in a court case. After our administration's exit (July 2022) a fresh tender was issued, shortly after which, in June of the same year, the MVA government collapsed.
Thackeray mentioned Dharavi spans approximately 500 acres, housing around 450,000 individuals, many of whom could face unjust eviction. The Adani group has acquired nearly 1,000 acres in Mumbai, comprising salt pan land, Dahisar and Mulund tolls, and Kurla Mother Dairy among others. He emphasized that salt pan lands were never allotted. He stated, ‘Dharavi's redevelopment should happen. We will annul the tender awarded to Adani and ensure residents get homes and continue their businesses in their existing locality.’
Indeed, in 2022, the Maharashtra government awarded Adani Realty the redevelopment contract under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with an estimated project cost of 20,000 crore rupees.
On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised to remove the 50 percent cap on reservations and conduct a caste census in the country. During a press conference in Mumbai, Gandhi deemed the caste census a major issue and vowed to resolve it. He termed the Maharashtra assembly elections a clash of ideologies and a battle between a select few billionaires and the impoverished.
The Congress leader highlighted the transfer of projects worth 7 trillion rupees, including those of Foxconn and Airbus, from Maharashtra to Gujarat, leading to job losses among Maharashtra's youth. He asserted the Maha Vikas Aghadi government would uphold the interests of Maharashtra's people. The political machinery was manipulated to favor one individual within the Dharavi redevelopment strategy in Mumbai.
Gandhi expressed concerns that the Dharavi redevelopment was unjust and appeared to benefit one person indiscriminately. He questioned the transparency of the tender process, with one individual seemingly granted dominion over India's ports, airports, and real estate properties.
