Now, Congress lures sons of soil

The Congress has taken its cue from the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). It is now trying to lure the sons of the soil.

Kripashankar Singh, president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, has demanded that koliwadas and gaothans be given three to four extra floor space index (FSI). He also asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take care of the natives and provide them with facilities.

During a meeting with BMC chief Subodh Kumar on Thursday, Singh said sons of the soil like Bhandaris, Kolis, Agrisand Christians lived in gaothans and koliwadas, which were suffering from want of adequate civic amenities.

He added that the residents could not redevelop gaothans and koliwadas because of restrictions on coastal regulation zones. “The BMC must allot them three to four FSI so that redevelopment can take place.”

Singh also pressed for a special ’ zone and upgradation of health services, and water supply and drainage systems.

“We are not placing the demand with the civic body elections in mind. We don’t want to play any political game over development and the citizen’s sentiments,” Singh clarified.

The Shiv Sena had recently taken an objection to Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam’s statement that North Indians can shut down the city.

Political observers said Singh’s demands for sons of the soil could create a flutter in the Shiv Sena and MNS.