Mumbai: Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique spews fire over vaccination centre on his turf

Sena minister Anil Parab inaugurating the vaccination centre

The Maha Vikas Aghadi has struck discord in the Thackeray's fiefdom of Bandra East. Local MLA and Congressman Zeeshan Siddique resented the inauguration of a COVID vaccination centre in his absence and blamed Shiv Sena minister Anil Parab for keeping him away from the function.

"A covid-19 vaccine centre was inaugurated yesterday in my Vandre East assembly by Shiv Sena minister @advanilparab ji. Being a local MLA, why was I not invited as per protocol. Are we going to play politics over vaccines too?" he asked the top leadership of the MVA on Friday through Twitter, raising a question over a breach of protocol. He tagged CM Uddhav Thackeray, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, chief of Congress legislative party Balasaheb Thorat and BMC.

"Parab inaugurated the centre on Thursday. Former mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar who I contested against (in the Assembly elections), local corporators and municipal officers were present. But they didn't deem it fit to invite me, a local MLA. This is a breach of protocol," he said in a video statement sent across to the media persons.

In the 2019 assembly elections, Zeeshan Siddique had defeated Sena candidate and former mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar

The Congress and Shiv Sena may be together in the MVA but they have been fighting a battle in Bandra East, a subdued one so far, which exploded through Zeeshan's angry outburst. Zeeshan made the Congress-Sena tussle very evident on Friday. He alleged that Parab has been interfering in his developmental works. "There is interference and pressure against me, but I'm used to it. The BMC does not give permissions/ NOCs or gives it late. I will continue to work. People know who really works here," he added.

In a fierce Vidhan Sabha polls in 2019, Zeeshan beat Sena candidate Mahadeshwar. Ever since it was defeated in Thackeray's backyard, the Sena hasn't left any stone unturned to keep its influence growing in the segment. Division of votes by a Sena rebel and the then sitting MLA Trupti Sawant, who was denied a poll ticket, helped the Congress win in 2019. Sawant joined the BJP last month in anticipation that she could be the Sena friend-turned-foe's candidate in the elections. Zeeshan is unlikely to concede his seat to the Sena if the MVA fights the next polls together.

Zeeshan said he had reported corruption in the local H-E municipal ward to the district collector and municipal commissioner. "But the inquiry hasn't started. Who fears inquiry? If conducted, the inquiry will bring forth facts. A senior like Parab ji should understand that I'm a 28-year-old who wants to work. The public mandate is with me," he said.

Parab wasn't available for comment, but one of his associates said the guest list was prepared by the local municipal officers. "It is the BMC's responsibility to invite elected representatives. Parab has nothing to do with this," he said.