Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has accused the BJP-controlled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of allocating open spaces to institutions linked to BJP lawmakers. Speaking at a rally on Sunday, August 23, 2026, Mr. Thackeray warned that he would consider holding a sit-in outside the BMC office if necessary to reclaim these open spaces.
The rally was organized to protest the BMC’s decision to convert the Neville D’Souza football turf in Bandra into a convention centre. Mr. Thackeray stated that a legal battle has also been initiated in court to save the ground, emphasizing that Mumbai’s open spaces, playgrounds, and recreational grounds should be preserved without changes to their reservation status.
Mr. Thackeray alleged that Mumbai has witnessed a significant change over the past four years, with the reservation of more than 15 open plots being changed to residential or commercial. He claimed that during his party’s control of the BMC, no changes were made to the reservation of open plots. He also cited specific instances, including the allocation of three plots in Andheri-Juhu to institutions controlled by BJP lawmakers, and the change in reservation of a plot meant for a sports complex to make way for a petrol pump.
Mr. Thackeray clarified that he is not opposed to development, but emphasized the need for sustainable development practices.
