Fadnavis Targets Thackerays, Pitches Third Mumbai Airport
The Thackeray cousins had alleged that the new airport was being developed to facilitate the transfer of land at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to the Adani Group.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said Mumbai will soon have a third airport, as he addressed a joint Mahayuti election rally ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Mr. Fadnavis dismissed criticism by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray over the need for the Navi Mumbai International Airport, accusing them of spreading misinformation.
The Thackeray cousins had alleged that the new airport was being developed to facilitate the transfer of land at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to the Adani Group.
“The proposal for a second airport for Mumbai was made in 1988, when I was not even in politics, because the existing airport has limitations for expansion. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, a project that had been delayed for decades was completed in five years,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
He added that the government was planning further expansion. “We will not stop here. Mumbai will soon have a third international airport. We will also increase the capacity of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by 50 per cent,” he said.
Taking a dig at Mr. Thackeray’s frequent visits abroad, Mr. Fadnavis said, “London has three airports. Mumbai will also have three airports.”
Addressing the rally earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised Mr. Thackeray over issues related to Marathi identity. “They remember Marathi people only during elections. Paach saal ghar me aur chunav aya to Mumbai khatare me. (For five years they stay at home, and when elections arrive, they claim Mumbai is under threat),” Mr. Shinde said.
Mr. Shinde also made a veiled reference to Mr. Thackeray’s visits to London, saying, “What important interests they have in London, I know, and he (Mr. Fadnavis) also knows. I will not say more today.”
Campaigning for the BMC election will end at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Voting will take place on Thursday, and results will be announced on Friday.