BJP extended support to 'extortionist' Shiv Sena to save its govt.: NCP

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Mar. 9 (ANI): A day after Shiv Sena's Mahadeshwar was elected as the next mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the National Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday dubbed the Uddhav Thackeray-led party as extortionist and asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has surrendered to save its government in Maharashtra. "The BJP was claiming mafia raj in Mumbai and the Shiv Sena is extortionist. The people have voted against mafia raj. The BJP has surrendered to the Shiv Sena to save their government. I think the people will teach lesson to the BJP," NCP leader Nawab Malik told ANI. However, Malik also congratulated the newly-elected mayor. Echoing similar views, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi said the BJP supports the Shiv Sena in BMC for the sake of power. In his first address to the corporators yesterday, Mahadeshwar raised concern over outstanding dues with the state government stating it is obstructing BMC financially in completing the projects. "My priority will be conducting coordination committee meeting between the state government and BMC, which hasn't happened since 1999, for better coordination on civic issues," he said. The Shiv Sena has 84 corporators in the BMC while the BJP falls two short of the former's count. Earlier this week, four independents had extended their support to the Shiv Sena, while the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) had offered to support the BJP.(ANI)