The Shiv Sena (UBT) is blaming the BJP for two things — the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai, and for Parliament Secretariat directing Members of Parliament not to use certain slogans like ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. Expressing concern over Mumbai’s poor Air Quality Index (AQI) and how dangerous it is becoming for city residents, UBT Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray on Friday told the media that, to some extent, the cutting of trees in Aarey Milk Colony has added to this problem.

Stating that he, when the chief minister, had suggested Kanjurmarg for the Metro Car Shed to save trees, Uddhav said, “I was not against the Metro or development. My intention was to save the trees and greenery of Mumbai. But the BJP government went ahead with uprooting trees in Aarey. Now, they are planning a tunnel beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park. This is being done to benefit contractors.”