Shri UdhavThackeray Shiv-Sena chief remarks came at an event held at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Wednesday.
He addressed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena corporators as state finance minister SudhirMungantiwar handed over a Rs647.34-crore cheque — the first of many payments compensating the civic body for its post-GST octroi loss.
HT had reported on Monday that BMC officials had arranged for a grand event at which the cheque was to be handed over.
“Some are happy, some are critical, some are protesting. There were protests at Modi’s home. Any new change has to be assessed by the government and improvised upon,” said Thackeray, referencing protests by traders in Gujarat.
Since May, the Shiv Sena has been firm in its demand for compensation for the loss of octroi, fearful of losing its autonomy over the BMC — Asia’s richest civic body. Thackeray said the money belongs to Mumbaiites and no one can stake a claim to it.
He reiterated the party’s concerns over Mumbai’s security. “With the octroi gone, the nakas are vulnerable. Anybody can enter the city with an AK-47 or RDX,” he said.
Thackeray also took jibes at Mungantiwar, who thanked him for supporting the state GST within 24 hours.
He said he would support the government “immediately” if they continued to accept his party’s suggestions.
