From Culture Centre, Thane has become narcotics hub, alleges Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that Thane once known for its cultural legacy has turned into a narcotics hub reported the PTIHe made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Thane after the Shiv Sena UBTMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS alliance released its manifesto for the civic polls scheduled for January 15Raut claimed the city is witnessing a serious moral and social decline with the drug menace destroying entire generationsQuestions over drug traffickingldquoThane once celebrated for its rich culture is now infamous for widespread drug trafficking Drugs are being sold openly near schools and collegesrdquo Raut alleged according to the PTIHe questioned who was protecting such networks and accused the police and state leadership of remaining silent on the issueHe further claimed that drug links extend ldquoright up to Satarardquo referring to the recent Rs 115crore mephedrone seizure in the city which has triggered a political controversyRuling alliance rejects allegationsThe opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has repeatedly alleged that individuals linked to the Satara drug bust have connections with the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawarrsquos NCP However the ruling parties have strongly denied and dismissed these claims as per the PTICivic polls a chance to lsquoreclaim legacyrsquoReferring to the upcoming civic elections Raut said the polls provide citizens an opportunity to ldquowipe off the gaddar traitor tagrdquo and reclaim the political legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal ThackeraySince the party split in June 2022 the Uddhav Thackerayled faction has consistently labelled Eknath Shinde and other rebel leaders as ldquogaddarsrdquo Raut alleged that the Shinde faction represents a duplicate Shiv Sena that has replaced ldquoMarathi powerrdquo with money powerAllegations of misuse of police machineryRaut accused the ruling dispensation of misusing police machinery to intimidate political rivals and achieve electoral gains He claimed that the public would respond strongly if such pressure tactics were removed even brieflyDevelopment funds only on paper says VichareShiv Sena UBT leader Rajan Vichare who was present at the press conference alleged that Rs 3500 crore earmarked for Thanersquos development exists only on paper He said the city continues to struggle with water shortages and traffic congestionHe added that the proposed Dharmaveer Anand Dighe memorial remains incomplete and that key infrastructure projects including the metro rail are progressing at a very slow pacelsquoBiggest scamrsquo in civic pollsLeaders including MNSrsquos Avinash Jadhav also criticised the election of several Mahayuti candidates unopposed in the civic polls calling it the ldquobiggest scamrdquo and a serious threat to democracy as per the PTIThe Shiv Sena UBTMNS alliance appealed to voters to reject what they described as drug patronage and builderdriven development and to restore Thanersquos original identityGet all BMC Election 2026 updates here Your ward info belowRead more All about BMC ElectionRead more Know Your Wardwith PTI inputs