In a bold statement made during a press conference on July 20, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray declared that his party would terminate the controversial Dharavi slum redevelopment project if it comes to power. The redevelopment project, aimed at rehabilitating residents of Dharavi—the largest slum in Asia—has been a point of contention, particularly after the tender was awarded to industrialist Gautam Adani’s firm.
Addressing the media, Thackeray expressed his staunch opposition to the project, asserting, “We will scrap the Dharavi slum redevelopment project tender after coming to power. The government should provide an explanation as to why it should not be scrapped now itself. We will not allow Mumbai to be turned into Adani city.”
Thackeray’s comments reflect ongoing tensions regarding the redevelopment, which has sparked significant debate over its implications for Dharavi’s residents. The project aims to transform the densely populated slum into a modern residential area, but critics argue that it threatens to displace long-time residents and disrupt local businesses. Thackeray assured that his party would ensure that people residing in Dharavi would not be uprooted. Instead, he promised that residents and businesses would be provided with 500 square feet houses within the locality itself, preserving their community and livelihood.
The redevelopment project has been a key issue in the lead-up to the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, speculated to be held in 2024. The tenure of the current Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is set to end on November 26, 2024. The previous Assembly elections in October 2019 resulted in a BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. However, due to internal conflicts, the Shiv Sena parted ways with the NDA and formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Indian National Congress (INC), leading to Uddhav Thackeray becoming the Chief Minister.
Thackeray’s pledge to dismantle the Dharavi redevelopment project is likely to be a significant factor in the upcoming elections, as it taps into concerns about displacement and the influence of large industrialists in Mumbai’s development. With the political landscape of Maharashtra in flux, Thackeray’s commitment promises to shape the discourse leading up to the 2024 elections.