Aaditya targets BJP over tree-cutting plan for Kumbh, says it wants to bring Raavan Raj

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday attacked the BJP over the proposed plan to cut trees in Nashik as part of the Kumbh Mela 2027 preparations, saying the ruling party wants to bring Raavan Raj in the city.

Addressing party workers ahead of the January 15 polls to the Nashik Municipal Corporation, Thackeray said an alliance of the Sena (UBT), the MNS, Congress and the NCP (SP) in the city will be finalised by the day’s end.

The former Maharashtra minister said he envisages a medical college in Nashik under its civic body, just like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

He also promised better transportation services in the city and lower taxes. “If the BJP had Ram in their mind, they would not have chopped the Tapovan. It wants to give that land to builders,” he alleged, claiming that the party’s Hindutva is more political.

“It wants to bring Raavan Raj,” he further claimed.

The Nashik civic body had proposed to cut trees in the Tapovan area of the city to make way for a ‘Sadhu Gram’ colony. The move was bitterly opposed by locals, green activists and the Opposition.

Earlier this month, the National Green Tribunal halted the civic body’s plan until January 15.

Thackeray said the BJP is hungry to “swallow Maharashtra and gift it to developers.” This “hunger” is to finish Maharashtra, cities and take the country backwards, he said.

“There is no employment for the youth and women. Forests are not secure anymore, and there is no improvement in the condition of the cities,” Thackeray said.

Polls to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Nashik civic body, will be held on January 15, while votes will be counted the next day. The process to file nominations commenced on December 23 and will end on December 30.