BJP proposes plan for 'Namo tea stalls' on the lines of 'Shiv vada pav' stalls set up by Shiv Sena

The BJP on Friday proposed a plan to set up 'NaMo tea stalls' in various parts of the city, on the lines of the 'Shiv vada pav' stalls set up by ally Shiv Sena. The BJP has thus aimed at two targets with one stone. On the one hand, the party has tried to checkmate its ally Shiv Sena and on other — by urging the municipal commissioner to approve these stalls that would use prime minister Narendra Modi's name — the party will provide employment to the youth and attract voters from the unemployed and working classes.

Improvements committee chairman Prakash Gangadhare tabled the proposal during a meeting on Friday and requested the civic administration to give permission for such stalls so as to generate more employment.

The Sena's 'Shiv vada pav' initiative was an attempt to give employment to youngsters who are sons of the soil. A large number of hawkers were attracted to this scheme since it was affordable. Sena supporters from Dadar, Parel, Girgaum and Matunga supported the scheme wholeheartedly and started such stalls. Later, just after the 'Shiv vada pav' scheme was launched formally by party president Uddhav Thackeray, Congress leader in the BMC Rajhans Singh had declared similar 'kanda poha' stalls. That scheme, however, never took off due to a lack of political will on the part of the Mumbai Congress. Joining the bandwagon, Swabhiman Sanghatna leader Nitesh Rane had jumped into the fray once, attempting to start a fried chicken stall at Marine Drive. The MNS has already started mobile vegetable vans and fast food vans that sell wares at reasonable prices.

Now, the BJP's attempt is being seen simultaneously as a snub to the Sena and a move aimed at introducing brand Modi to Mumbai's most underprivileged classes.