Tree cutting for Thackeray memorial? Amruta Fadnavis dubs Sena

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta on Sunday called the ruling Shiv Sena a “hypocrite” after media reports emerged that a memorial for the party patriarch late Bal Thackeray in Aurangabad would require felling of some 1,000 trees.

The Sena had opposed cutting of trees for the Metro Line 3 car shed in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony citing environmental concerns, and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in one of his first major decisions after taking over as head of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, had issued a stay on the work.

Posting a photo of the news item, Amruta Fadnavis tweeted “Hypocrisy is a disease ! Get well soon @ShivSena’! Tree cutting – at ur convenience or allowing tree cutting only when you earn commission – unpardonable sins !!”

However, Aurangabad Mayor Nandkumar Ghodele, in a media statement, claimed his administration would not allow trees to be cut for the Thackeray memorial.

“We are going to ensure that no trees are cut for the construction of the memorial,” he said.

His message has been issued from Twitter handle, Shivsena Communicaton @ShivsenaComms, which is the official handle of the Thackeray-led party’s communication cell.

The memorial will comprise a garden along with a statue of the Bal Thackeray.