Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray meets BMC officials amid dramatic spat with Kangana

Amid dramatic faceoff between the Maharashtra government and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, sources have told Republic that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is meeting officials including BMC Commissioner at his official residence in Mumbai. The fast-spreading Coronavirus outbreak as well as the action taken by BMC at Kangana Ranaut's office earlier in the day are among issues likely to be discussed.

On Tuesday, the BMC issued a 'stop work notice' to Kangana Ranaut under section 354(A) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and has told the Bollywood actor to produce permission within 24 hours. However, BMC officials on Wednesday pasted a new notice at her office stating that the structure will be demolished and then proceeded to break open the lock of the premises, bringing in heavy mechanized equipment. They also partially demolished parts of the building before Ranaut's lawyer moved the HC seeking interim relief from the demolition process. 

The Bombay High Court has asked the civic body to file a reply to the actor's petition. The court will hear the matter tomorrow. Ranaut has landed in Mumbai facing protests from Karni Sena and RPI – in support of her, while Shiv Sena protesting against her remarks on Mumbai and Maharashtra government. She also tweeted that it is not a building for her but it is her 'Ram temple' and lashed out at BMC saying that 'today Babur has come there, today history will repeat itself.'

The BMC's action has put the Uddhav government at the receiving end of massive backlash with Shiv Sena's own allies raising questions on the move. Prominent civil society and film industry personalities have also spoken out against the state government.

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Kangana Vs Raut

A war-of-words broke out between Shiv Sena and Kangana Ranaut after the latter made controversial remarks about Mumbai by comparing it to 'PoK' and 'Taliban' while slamming Sena MP Sanjay Raut for his 'open threat'. Raut in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece had slammed Kangana for her ‘treachery’ after she criticized the police force, despite living in the city and working in the film industry in Mumbai. He told the National Award-winner, to not return to the city. Questioning the 'Aazadi' graffitis and the 'open threats', Kangana asked why was Mumbai feeling like 'Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.' 

She was later given Y+ security by the Centre after the Himachal Pradesh government requested the same after Kangana's father filed a plea. Maharashtra government has slammed the Centre for this move, while BJP has supported it while condemning her comments on Mumbai. This comes amid Kangana's continuous criticism of the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police's investigation in Sushant's death case. 

(PTI Photo)

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