NCP opposes Sena's Shiv vada-pav initiative

The Nationalaist Congress Party (NCP) leaders are opposing the Shiv vada-pav (street food) initiative contending it is unhygienic and a 'certain political party' (Shiv Sena) is taking advantage in the name of election.

"We are opposing this mainly because cooking on footpaths is unhygienic. Secondly, the civic body on one hand is taking action against hawkers and on the other supporting this initiative. Lastly, this is nothing but just a politically motivated thing," Niyaz Vanu, NCP corporator, said.

"It is being launched with an eye on Assembly elections and to provide employment to workers of a particular party," Vanu said.

"Also, they are doing this scheme in the name of Shivaji Maharaj, in a way they are disrespecting the raja, bringing his self esteem down," he added.

The leaders said the civic chief told that he would discuss it with law committee.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan of providing handcarts to hawkers selling vada-pav had generated criticism following which Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak made it clear a few days ago that the proposal was not in violation of Supreme Court order.

"I'm shocked that the civic body is supporting this instead of providing water and toilets in areas where there is shortage," Vanu said.

The civic chief few days ago had said that the handcarts provided to vendors to sell vada-pav would not obstruct movement on footpaths and roads.