Aaditya Thackeray slams BJP over plan to turn Mumbai's iconic football ground into convention centre

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray has criticised the BJP-led administration in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the decision to convert Mumbai's iconic Neville D'Souza football ground in Bandra into a convention and exhibition centre.

Key points

• This land loot by the Chief Minister for his friends is shocking, and yet not so.
• Thackeray alleged that the BJP-controlled BMC was distributing open spaces and playgrounds to the party's elected representatives, builders and supporters.
• Thackeray remarked playgrounds and open spaces were essential not only for recreation but additionally as "lung purifiers" and urban green spaces.
• All of this is solely for the benefit of BJP's pampered builders and contractors.
• He asserted that land worth thousands of crores of rupees, particularly open spaces, was being given away in Mumbai at "throwaway prices".

Thackeray alleged that the move was part of a broader "land giveaway" by the BJP and accused the party of taking "revenge" on Gen Z and young individuals who had protested against the administration.

Notably, the BMC has changed the reservation of the football ground, paving the way for its conversion into a convention and exhibition centre despite a campaign by football enthusiasts, coaches and parents opposing the move.

For context, the Neville D'Souza ground, named after former Indian footballer Neville D'Souza, has been applied by more than 200 football clubs and hosts matches involving children and young players. It is among Mumbai's prominent football grounds.

"This land loot by the Chief Minister for his friends is shocking, and yet not so. One wonders what is the hurry and the worry that has pushed the CM to loot lands in Mumbai so openly for his friends. Or is it just BJP taking revenge for Gen Z and the youth stepping out to protest against its incompetence?" he remarked.

While two Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) plots were being given away free of cost, he alleged that another open plot was being given to a BJP MLA's associates for Rs 21 lakh a year.

He additionally alleged that the Neville D'Souza ground was being taken away from football enthusiasts and that a plot earmarked for a sports complex in Mulund was being converted into a petrol pump.

"All of this is solely for the benefit of BJP's pampered builders and contractors. By contrast, BJP is taking revenge on 'Gen Z' who question them and on Mumbaikars, " Thackeray alleged.

He asserted that land worth thousands of crores of rupees, particularly open spaces, was being given away in Mumbai at "throwaway prices". "We will fight against this land giveaway scam, " he remarked.

Taken together, the developments around aaditya Thackeray slams BJP over plan to turn Mumbai' s iconic football ground point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.