Mumbai mayor threatens to fire BMC official for removing illegal stalls, audio goes viral
The Mumbai mayor is in the dock after his audio clip went viral in which he is threatening to sack the BMC official under whom 17 illegal stalls were removed from Khar west area on Thursday.
In Short
- Vishwanath Mahadeshwar threatened to fire a BMC official over phone.
- He was miffed with the official for allegedly removing illegal stalls from Khar west.
- The MNS has slammed the mayor and have demanded his resignation.
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar finds himself at the centre of a controversy after his audio clip emerged in which he is threatening a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official with stern action for removing 17 stalls at Khar west.
Mahadeshwar can be heard threatening to suspend the official under whom 17 illegal hawkers were removed from the Khar west 33rd Road on Thursday morning.
In a telephonic interview, the mayor confirmed the authenticity of the audio clip and added, "I have not threatened him. I just warmed him if he is doing a illegal work then action must be taken against him too."
The official in the audio clip can be heard justifying his action saying that he was just following orders given to him by seniors but the mayor doesn't budge.
Slamming the mayor, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said, "He should step down first. His job is to look after Mumbai and not protect illegal stalls. It's really shameful to see Mayor of Mumbai do this," said MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande.
The mayor was unavailable for further comments.
More details awaited.