Smart City project being used as a tool to deceive people: Raj Thackeray

MNS President Raj Thackeray today termed as a "farce" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet 'Smart City' project saying developing cities is the prerogative of municipal corporations and the Centre should not disturb their work

Mumbai: MNS President Raj Thackeray today termed as a "farce" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet 'Smart City' project saying developing cities is the prerogative of municipal corporations and the Centre should not disturb their work.

"The Smart City project is nothing but a farce that is being used as a political tool to deceive people. What is the need for the Centre to intervene and create disturbance when developing cities is the prerogative of the respective municipal corporations," Thackeray told reporters here.

He further alleged that Modi wants "undue credit" for everything and that he (Modi) spoke a different language when he was Gujarat Chief Minister and is now speaking a different language.

"The Centre will give Rs 100 crore for the project and a similar amount has to be shared between the states and their municipal corporations. What is it that they want to do in Rs 200 crore.

"Mumbai's civic body has a budget of over Rs 30,000 crore. How will Rs 200 crore matter?" he questioned. He said cities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane are getting investments because of the culture of Maharashtra and that it has no relation whatsoever with the Smart City project.

"I will convey my apprehensions to the Centre and will talk to them on how can they help us," the MNS chief added. Thackeray said the BJP, during the campaigning of the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation poll, announced a "fake" package of Rs 6,500 crore to gain political mileage.

"The government, after declaring drought in the state did not have money to pay farmers and had to increase taxes on fuel to provide them financial aid.

"How will they provide Rs 6,500 crore for KDMC alone? Their talks were all false even then and fake speeches were given to gain political mileage," Thackeray said.

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