Leaders of all political parties in BMC welcomed the high court directive, which says civic officials should file FIRs against local unit chiefs of political parties which put up illegal banners. However, they opined that BMC must define the term 'local unit chief' as that person could be local shakha pramukh, MLA or even an MP.
Manoj Kotak, BJP leader in BMC, said his party welcomed the directive, and that it had also filed an affidavit in the court in this regard. "We have asked party men to abide by the law," said Kotak.
However, most of them found the term 'local unit chief' ambiguous. "What is the basis on which a political leader will be held responsible even if he is not at fault. While we welcome the HC directive, BMC should clarify who would be held responsible," said Sandeep Deshpande, MNS leader in BMC, who then asked: Who is the local unit chief—shakha pramukh, vibhag pramukh, corporator, MLA, MP, or a minister residing in the area?
Civic sources said BMC should come clear on the banner and hoarding policy. Civic officials have long been resisting taking action against politicians who put up banners/hoardings. Even after the HC directive, BMC hasn't taken action against these people.
Shailesh Phanse of Shiv Sena cautioned that if BMC doesn't define who local unit chief is, that could lead to political rivals settling scores. "I may not put banners and may also warn my supporters against doing it, but what if someone else puts up a banner (at night) with my party's name and my photo in it simply wishing me luck or my birthday? BMC and the police must have collective control on the issue," said Phanse.
Phanse said Sena was the first to oppose illegal banners, which make the city ugly. "Uddhav saheb had asked all sainiks to avoid putting up banners. He had also appealed to other political parties to do the same. But while other parties went ahead, we desisted from doing it," said Phanse.
At one time, Narayan Rane even taunted Uddhavji saying Sena was not putting up banners as it didn't have enough sainiks to do the job. Even then Uddhavji asked us to show restraint.
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