The growing tussle between the Shiv Sena and the BJP in the state government has added to the tensions between the two parties in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) too with the latter voting against the new rooftop restaurants policy proposed by the Shiv Sena. The BJP on Wednesday voted along with the Opposition members of the BMC’s improvements committee, opposing the policy that would allow restaurants to serve food and liquor, and host parties on their terraces. The policy was eventually rejected by the committee after finding support from only the Shiv Sena and Samajwadi Party members.
BJP leaders, who had earlier deferred the proposal twice, said the concept was “against Mumbai’s culture”.
Prakash Gangadhare, a BJP corporator said, “Nightlife is not a part of our culture. We are trying to import western culture in the city. If youngsters party till late hours, residents in the nearby areas will be disturbed. Mumbaikars will also face increased problems of parking. Their safety at night will be at risk. We are completely against this policy.”
Interestingly, Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria had recently given a go-ahead to a proposal that would allow bars, pubs and discos in non-residential areas to remain open all night. That proposal too had been pushed by Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, who claimed to have taken the policy to the state government for a final approval.
On Wednesday, the BJP was supported by members of the Opposition in the Improvements Committee. Geeta Yadav, a Congress corporator said, “Implementation of this policy will prove to be a nuisance for citizens as societies will complain about the loud music played at such parties.”
Members of the Opposition also demanded an amendment to the proposal for the inclusion of corporate houses, malls and other commercial establishments under the policy’s net, which the administration did not take into consideration.
Raju Pednekar, a Sena corporator said, “There are many restaurants serving food on their rooftops illegally. BMC can capitalise and earn revenue with the implementation of this policy. Amendments can be included at a later stage also.”
The Samajwadi Party was expected to support the policy as Farhan Azmi of the party, himself a restaurateur, had met Improvements Committee chairman Ujjwala Modak to push for the policy on Tuesday.
tanushree.venkatraman@expressindia.com
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