Mumbai: Peddar Road flyover issue is fast emerging as a fresh flash point between the MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, with the latter accusing the former of indulging into politics of convenience.
Launching a veiled attack on his political bete noire and Maharashtra Navnirmann Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, Uddhav on Wednesday said, "All citizens are equal before the law. However, some people demanded extra FSI for (Sachin) Tendulkar's bungalow even though it did not fit into government's rules."
Raj had on Tuesday warned Maharashtra government that his party won't allow any flyover to be built if a similar bridge planned at Peddar Road 16 years ago is scrapped owing to opposition from "a few influential residents", including Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
"The state government will decide whether to go ahead with the flyover or not. However, the political mud-slinging on Maharashtra's icons in connection with the flyover issue must stop," Uddhav said without naming Raj.
Such people are now targetting icons like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale over the issue which is surprising, he added.
The flyover issue came to the forefront following recent statements attributed to Jayant Patil, senior NCP leader and guardian minister for Mumbai, suggesting that the government has planned to scrap the Peddar Road flyover.
Patil himself stays in the area. Antilia, Mukesh Ambani's billion-dollar home, is also located in the vicinity.
Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale have been most vocal in opposing the project.
Five years ago, Lata Mangeshkar had threatened to leave Mumbai if the plan went ahead, drawing criticism from several Mumbaikars.
The flyover aims to decongest a major artery linking central Mumbai to the business and power hub in the south.
The government has held public hearings with the residents' association, which claims that the flyover will increase air and noise pollution.
"The flyover is for the benefit of Indians, not for the people of Dubai," Raj had said in response to Asha Bhosle's threat some years ago that she would migrate to Dubai if the flyover was built.
Residents of other areas had not demurred when the government pushed through big projects like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai Metro and Monorail, Raj had said.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has, however, denied the flyover was being junked.
"No decision has been taken on scrapping the flyover yet. Public hearings are on," he told a delegation of the Raj Thackeray-led party in Mumbai on Tuesday.
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